Leadership: Qualities That A Good Leader Should Have
Leaders come in a variety of flavors. They can be strict, dominating, compassionate, arrogant, or team players. Every leader has qualities that make him an efficient leader or a complete failure.
Here are some notable qualities that a leader should inculcate in themselves.
Leadership Qualities of an Efficient Leader
A leader keeps the team together, motivates them, and uses the team’s talents to derive results. Moreover, a leader moves the organization forward. An effective leader shapes the organization’s presentation and makes future strategies to sustain the company. A good leader understands the company’s needs and its employees’ points of view. It is the leader that most influence the work culture. A toxic leader creates an unhealthy workplace, while a strong leader builds an inclusive workplace where everyone feels heard and comfortable expressing their opinions and working together for better output.
Some of the biggest companies in the world are known for their strong leaders. For example, Steve Jobs created the Apple brand, and Bill Gates was instrumental in Microsoft’s development.
In this article, we will discuss several critical leadership qualities.
Integrity
Integrity in the workplace typically comes from leadership modeling the way.
Here are a few ways you can practice integrity in the workplace.
Communicate Openly
Openly communicate with your employees to promote a healthy work culture. By doing so, you are indirectly motivating your employees to express themselves freely.
As a leader, you should never hesitate to discuss project ideas, outcomes, deadlines, or anything else.
Appreciate Others
As a leader, you should never hold back from appreciating your employees if they have done an excellent job.
Always give credit to the deserving member of your team on project success. If any employee has shown extraordinary skills, reward them.
Actions of appreciation will encourage all employees to work hard and achieve individual and company goals.
Treat Your Employees with Respect
As a leader, you should always treat all your employees with the utmost respect. Everyone deserves respect, whether in the C-Suite, middle management, support staff, or an intern.
Promoting a work culture where everyone is treated equally and respectfully gains your employees’ trust and respect.
You can lead by listening to your employees and letting them express their ideas and opinions freely. You should politely convey your point while giving feedback or pointing out mistakes or areas requiring improvement.
Follow Company Policies
A leader should set an example to others. By respecting the company’s policies and guidelines, you are paving the way for others to follow.
It will show your strong support of the company’s policies. Moreover, it will establish a healthy and disciplined work culture.
Respect Others in Disagreements
You will meet a variety of people at work. It is natural that you won’t like everyone and won’t agree with all their opinions or ideas.
In such cases, maintaining a respectful tone and attitude is essential, even in disagreements.
Even if you disagree with colleagues, listen to their ideas patiently and consider the value of an opposing opinion.
Acknowledge Your Mistake
You shouldn’t be embarrassed to accept your mistakes. If what you said was wrong, own up to it. Moreover, you should find ways to fix your error.
Help Others
You should always help others without expecting anything in return. Help your coworker without thinking you have done a favor for them. Most importantly, don’t exaggerate how you helped them afterward.
Be kind to others and lend a helping hand if that makes their life easier. Bringing a smile to someone’s face can be the best thing you do.
Be Open to Criticism
Take criticism in a healthy way. Nobody is perfect. Everyone lacks in some way or another.
Be open to others’ criticism, advice, and suggestions. Maybe what you think is hurtful to your ego is good advice for your career. So, instead of being angry, you should listen to advice and introspect where you are wrong. It may help you improve your working process, upskill yourself, or even your personality.
Stick to Your Commitments
It is the responsibility of the leader to adhere to project deadlines. If you have committed to deliver something, ensure that you meet internal and external expectations within the stipulated time.
You should manage your team and resources to accomplish projects on time. If you fail to meet your commitments even after dedicated effort, immediately communicate with the involved party.
These above points will help you develop integrity in yourself and your work, making you a better leader.
Power Of Delegation
Delegation at the workplace refers to assigning work to different people. When you delegate work to team members, you entrust them with the responsibility. You believe the delegated task will be completed on time and yield quality results.
While you assign work to other team members, the core responsibility to complete work stays with you. As a leader, you should always monitor your team members and their assigned work progress.
You will get excellent results if you divide work among people with the appropriate skill set.
Here are seven reasons why you should delegate work among team members.
Efficiency: Streamlining Workflow and Reducing Stress
Delegate tasks to team members whose skills align with the responsibilities to ensure efficiency. By allowing team members to handle routine activities, you can focus on planning and strategizing for future steps. This approach leads to better time management, reduced stress, and improved efficiency.
Development: Empowering and Mentoring Team Members
Team leaders possess valuable skills and knowledge that can be imparted to other team members. By teaching employees new skills, you can follow up by delegating tasks that allow them to grow and apply their newly acquired knowledge. Delegation promotes team development and facilitates the growth of mentoring and decision-making abilities among experienced team members.
Empowerment: Fostering Personal Growth and Team Success
Empowerment involves enabling individuals to excel in their roles, even if they surpass their abilities. This approach encourages the personal development of team members and contributes to the team’s overall success. Empowering your team creates an environment that values individual expertise and facilitates collective achievements.
Leadership: Planning, Coaching, and Encouraging Autonomy
A strong leader’s role is not to perform tasks directly but to plan, coach, and guide the team. Through coaching, team members gain the necessary skills and confidence to take on assigned roles and accomplish tasks independently, with or without supervision. This leadership approach promotes autonomy, fosters confidence, and allows continued growth and success.
Collective Success: Motivating and Inspiring the Team
In delegation, achieving goals become a collective success rather than an individual one. This collective success fosters a sense of unity and identity within the team, empowering them to seek further accomplishments and embrace new challenges. A shared sense of achievement strengthens the team’s bond and motivates them to strive for future success.
Delegate to Build an Efficient Team: Boosting Confidence and Dedication
Delegating tasks to team members increases their confidence, making them feel valued and essential to success. This recognition leads to a greater appreciation for the leader and themselves, resulting in increased motivation and dedication. Delegation also exposes team members to new challenges, encouraging them to develop their skills and knowledge and ultimately contributing to a more engaged and productive workforce.
Preserving Skilled Talent: Empowering and Cultivating Loyalty
Effective delegation empowers subordinates to make decisions and recognize their organizational importance. This empowerment motivates team members to strive for higher achievements within the company, fostering a sense of satisfaction and contentment. By providing opportunities for growth and recognition, delegation helps retain skilled individuals and reduces the risk of them seeking employment elsewhere.
Delegate to Save Time: Maximizing Efficiency and Productivity
In today’s fast-paced business environment, time is a valuable resource. Effective delegation allows you to leverage this resource efficiently, aligning with the company’s pursuit of optimizing productivity. Delegating tasks reduces delays in completing projects and decreases the burden on those waiting for your input. By investing in a robust delegation process, you not only support your team but also contribute to the long-term health and success of the organization.
Communication Skills
Taking on a leadership role comes with the responsibility for your success and the success of those who follow you. It requires ensuring that your employees have the necessary information and resources to perform their jobs effectively and provide customers with a positive experience.
Effective communication with fellow leaders and employees is central to achieving this. In recent years, companies have recognized the significance of leadership communication skills, leading to a doubling of budgets allocated to managerial communication training.
Therefore, developing practical communication skills is paramount for leaders. Connecting with others and maintaining strong relationships through communication substantially benefit you and your business.
The Importance of Effective Communication for Leaders
Effective communication is crucial for leaders for several reasons. It is vital to convey information clearly and directly to the team without relying on jargon or complex language. By providing plain facts, leaders establish themselves as trustworthy and authentic.
One significant benefit of effective communication is time savings. By articulating messages clearly from the start, leaders avoid the need for repeated explanations or corrections, saving valuable time available for more productive tasks.
Moreover, effective communication has the power to motivate and inspire employees. A well-delivered speech or message can move individuals, fostering positive change and igniting organizational creativity and innovation.
Clear communication is also essential for ensuring that employees understand their roles, tasks, and the significance of their contributions. This clarity enhances company culture, prevents confusion, and minimizes costly misunderstandings. By equipping teams with the necessary information, leaders empower individuals to perform their jobs effectively, individually, and collectively.
Empathetic communication positively impacts employee engagement. When employees feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles, it strengthens their emotional connection and commitment to the company.
Furthermore, demonstrating transparency through open and honest communication fosters trust among employees, creating an inclusive and supportive culture, reinforcing loyalty to the organization, and employees becoming advocates for the brand.
Effective leadership is intrinsically tied to thoughtful communication; leaders establish trust, motivate employees, enhance engagement, and foster a positive and united work environment by prioritizing effective communication.
Our Top Communication Tips for Leaders
Communicate Relentlessly
Make it a habit to communicate information, thoughts, and ideas clearly and frequently. Use different communication channels and ensure transparency in processes. Take the time to engage with your team members and maintain open lines of communication.
Set Clear Expectations
Establish clear expectations and team norms within your organization. Whether through emails, group discussions, or one-on-one conversations, communicate expectations intentionally to avoid misunderstandings.
Simplify and Be Direct
Avoid complexity and excessive information. Say what you mean directly and straightforwardly, especially in virtual communication settings.
Illustrate Through Stories
Use storytelling to bring your vision, goals, and objectives to life. Good stories build trust, capture attention, and serve as powerful reminders. Stories are more memorable and relatable than mission statements or project plans.
Be Prepared
Do your homework before initiating communication. Familiarize yourself with the context, alternative viewpoints, and perspectives to address objections effectively. Being prepared increases your effectiveness in communication.
Know Your Audience
Tailor your communication strategy to the specific individuals you’re addressing. Consider their personalities, goals, objectives, and roles. Adapt your influencing techniques based on their preferences and needs.
Reinforce Intent with Body Language
Use positive body language to inspire and make team members feel comfortable communicating with you. Maintain eye contact, nod, and use simple gestures to show attentiveness and care.
Read the Room
Observe nonverbal cues from your audience to gauge their engagement, understanding, and reactions. Adjust your message and style according to the in-person and virtual signals, encouraging questions and checking for understanding.
Ask Good Questions
Listening is essential for effective leadership. Ask thought-provoking questions that cut through complexity and unlock insights. Non-directive inquiries can be particularly valuable for coaching your team.
Listen and Encourage Input
Seek input from individuals at all levels of the organization. Create a safe space for team members to voice concerns and ideas. Demonstrate empathy, show respect, and listen attentively. Emphasize listening over speaking.
Take Feedback Seriously
Ask for honest feedback and value the input from your team members. Incorporate their feedback when appropriate, as it builds trust and respect. Follow through with action steps to reinforce your commitment to their concerns.
Affirm with Actions
Remember that actions speak louder than words. Align your behavior and actions with your communication to build credibility and trust. Consistency between your words and actions is crucial for effective leadership.
Initiate Tough Conversations
Address conflicts and concerns proactively, even if they are difficult. Approach such conversations with neutrality, explore different perspectives, and work toward problem-solving and resolution through open communication.
Involve Others in Planning
After communication, involve stakeholders in the development of action plans. Seek buy-in and ensure everyone is aligned before executing strategies. This collaborative approach enhances goal achievement.
Remember Your Reputation
Maintain a balance between assertiveness and approachability. Uphold your reputation as a leader who communicates effectively and with integrity. Strive for a balanced approach that earns respect and trust from others.
Self-Awareness in Leadership
Developing self-awareness is not a simple task, despite its definition, an awareness of one’s personality or individuality. According to Cam Caldwell, Ph.D., a University of Illinois at Springfield professor, self-awareness requires conscious effort to understand ourselves, others, the principles we live by, and our commitment to the future. It takes work and a willingness to acknowledge reality as truth.
Self-awareness is a fundamental component of emotional intelligence (EI), a concept introduced by psychologist Michael Beldoch and popularized by Daniel Goleman. EI encompasses the ability to recognize and manage one’s emotions while also understanding and influencing the feelings of others. Self-awareness often serves as the initial step toward developing EI, which is highly valuable in leadership.
When leaders cultivate self-awareness, it enhances their performance and improves organizational performance. Self-aware leaders possess a wealth of understanding, trustworthiness, and wisdom, equipping them with essential skills for success.
Critical Qualities of Self-Aware Leaders
Reflective: Self-aware leaders engage in self-reflection, analyzing their thoughts, words, and actions during interactions with others.
Observant: Leaders are attentive to their surroundings, picking up on environmental cues and staying aware of what is happening.
Empathetic: Understanding the needs and perspectives of others allows self-aware leaders to establish meaningful connections with their team members.
Perceptive: Leaders can anticipate potential outcomes and consequences, enabling them to make informed decisions and navigate situations effectively.
Responsive: Self-aware leaders actively listen to others, adjusting their approach based on feedback and reactions, fostering open communication and collaboration.
Self-controlled: Leaders demonstrate emotional intelligence by managing their emotions and behaviors and maintaining composure even in challenging situations.
Discerning: Self-aware leaders make wise choices, utilizing their understanding of themselves and others to make informed judgments and handle situations effectively.
Adaptable: Leaders are flexible and open to change, assessing circumstances and adjusting their behavior and strategies accordingly.
By embodying these qualities, self-aware leaders create an environment that promotes growth, collaboration, and positive outcomes for themselves and their teams.
Strategies for Enhancing Self-Awareness in Leadership
Develop self-knowledge: Gain a deep understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs through self-reflection. Cultivate emotional intelligence to recognize and manage your own emotions and understand others.
Observe others’ reactions: Pay attention to how people respond to your actions and behaviors. Reflect on the factors influencing their reactions, allowing you to understand your impact on others better.
Seek feedback: Request input from trusted individuals, such as friends, family, and colleagues, to gain a broader perspective on your strengths and areas for improvement. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth.
Cultivate empathy: Consider the emotions and perspectives of others in your communication and decision-making. Pay attention to nonverbal cues and actively listen to better understand their needs and experiences.
Be aware of your traits: Understand the situational context and leverage your strengths to achieve desired outcomes. Continuously evaluate whether your choices align with your goals and the goals of others. Invest in resources and tools that enhance emotional intelligence and introspection.
Recognize patterns: Notice patterns in your interactions and outcomes. Identify the traits and behaviors that lead to positive responses and strive to enhance and consistently apply them.
Engage in self-evaluation: Regularly evaluate your thoughts, actions, and impact on others. Use emotional intelligence and empathy to assess how personal characteristics shape interactions and relationships.
By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your self-awareness as a leader, leading to improved communication, stronger relationships, and more effective decision-making.
Gratitude In Leadership
Gratitude refers to the positive emotion experienced when receiving something valuable, and scientific evidence demonstrates that individuals who cultivate gratitude tend to feel happier. The advantages of practicing gratitude include the following:
- Enhanced sense of well-being.
- Increased self-esteem.
- Reduced depression and anxiety.
- Improved sleep quality.
A study revealed that differences in gratitude levels account for approximately 20% of the variations in overall life satisfaction among individuals.
Researchers emphasize the power of gratitude as a multifaceted social emotion meaning that gratitude prompts us to consider others. We cannot truly appreciate someone’s effort in assisting us unless we pause and assess the situation from their perspective. Unsurprisingly, gratitude has been linked to oxytocin, a hormone associated with social bonding.
Despite the compelling benefits, expressing gratitude in the workplace is not always common. A study found that while nearly half of people regularly express gratitude to their family members, only around 15% of individuals do so in the workplace. Furthermore, 35% of respondents reported that their managers had never expressed gratitude towards them. This disparity in the expression of gratitude in work settings compared to other contexts is often called the “gratitude gap.”
Why does such a gap exist when it comes to workplace gratitude? Adam Grant, a professor at the Wharton Business School, suggests that individuals may be reluctant to admit their need for help at work, and expressing gratitude implies acknowledging that one cannot accomplish everything alone.
However, a Glassdoor survey revealed that 80% of employees are willing to put in more effort for an appreciative boss. Moreover, a study conducted at a fundraising center demonstrated that expressing gratitude led to a 50% increase in call performance after the director thanked the employees for their work. Research has also shown that employees who intentionally practice gratitude tend to take fewer sick days.
These statistics highlight the importance of gratitude in leadership, indicating that organizations that promote expressions of gratitude in the workplace are likely to benefit from a more engaged, productive, and healthy workforce.
9 Ways to Practice Gratitude in the Workplace
Here are nine practical ways for leaders to incorporate gratitude into their daily practices:
1. Set aside dedicated time for gratitude reflection each day. By scheduling this time in your calendar, it becomes a prioritized habit. Consider using breaks for moments of gratitude, such as closing your eyes and reflecting on pleasant surprises or appreciating the contributions of your employees, customers, and community. Personally, keeping a gratitude journal before bedtime can provide perspective and end the day on a positive note.
2. Be authentic when expressing gratitude. Generic expressions of thank-you are less effective than specific acknowledgments. When an employee completes a project, go beyond a simple “thanks” and mention their actions. For example, express appreciation like, “Thank you, Jim, for delivering this project ahead of schedule. Your reliability is greatly appreciated.”
3. Celebrate both big and small wins. While significant achievements deserve recognition, more minor victories and moments of success occur daily. As a grateful leader, don’t hesitate to acknowledge and appreciate team members’ efforts in these smaller accomplishments. Over time, these words of encouragement will accumulate and foster a positive atmosphere.
4. Offer daily compliments to your team. Genuine compliments have a significant impact and should be delivered with sincerity. Avoid phony or empty praise. Instead, make eye contact, highlight achievements, and provide authentic compliments. Genuine appreciation boosts the recipient’s confidence and can become a natural part of your leadership style.
5. Recognize unsung heroes in your organization. While it’s important to acknowledge standout performers, don’t overlook the contributions of those working behind the scenes. Give credit to the support staff, collaborators, and individuals who provide the foundation for success. For example, show appreciation to freelancers or other contributors by sending small tokens of gratitude to make them feel valued and part of the team.
6. Show genuine interest in your organization and its members. Taking time to engage in casual conversations with your employees demonstrates your gratitude. Some team members may rely solely on their work community for support, so involving them in discussions and recognizing their efforts fosters a sense of belonging. Send emails, use Slack, or ask questions to get to know your team members better, their interests, and their thoughts. It shows that you care about them as individuals and that they are integral to your organization’s community.
7. Provide learning opportunities for personal and professional growth. Employees value opportunities for career advancement, as indicated by research. Offer online classes, in-person workshops, or the chance to attend industry conferences. Consider arranging meetings with your team and involving them in your learning experiences.
8. Encourage employee input and involvement. Employees who contribute their views and opinions feel more valued and appreciated. Actively seek their feedback and create space for them to share their thoughts in meetings. Instead of relying solely on suggestion boxes, make them a regular part of your communication and decision-making processes.
9. Foster a positive work culture. Creating a positive work environment enhances productivity, happiness, creativity, and collaboration among your team members. It demonstrates that you value and respect them as individuals rather than mere assets in the business. Strive to cultivate a positive culture amidst the fast-paced tech industry, showing gratitude and appreciation for your team.
Learning Agility in Leadership
In times of change, leaders must embrace agility to navigate new business strategies, diverse cultures, virtual teams, and unfamiliar assignments. The ability to learn and adapt throughout your career is now more crucial than ever due to workplace upheavals, evolving business models, and technological advancements.
When faced with uncertainty, what should you do?
To excel as a high performer and maximize your long-term potential, you need a practical approach to dealing with the unknown quickly.
Learning Agility: Unlocking Success in Changing Times
Learning agility is the key when you are unsure what to do. It involves adapting and thriving in ambiguous or unfamiliar situations. Decades of research have shown that the ability to learn from experience is a significant predictor of leadership success. (Discover how to assess your learning agility and potential for a lasting career.)
Learning agility is about knowing how to learn and what steps to take when faced with uncertainty. It entails leveraging past experiences, applying them in new ways, and adjusting to changing circumstances and opportunities.
It’s never too early or too late to enhance your learning agility. To improve your performance and long-term potential, here are several ways to boost your learning agility:
How To Become an Influential Leader?
Leading through influence is a managerial approach that shapes team members’ opinions, attitudes, choices, and behaviors. It entails positively persuading and empowering others, focusing on their development and service. A skillful influencer helps employees achieve their goals and brings out their best qualities, distinguishing themselves as impactful leaders.
Practical tips for enhancing your influence as a leader:
Foster trust: Trust forms the bedrock of effective leadership. You build trust by acting in ways that make team members comfortable relying on you, confident in your abilities and intentions, and motivated to work with you. A powerful method of establishing trust is giving it to your employees before it is earned. This approach fosters a stronger connection with your team as they appreciate being trusted and may work harder to maintain that trust.
Embrace humility: Humility provides the perspective needed to acknowledge that everyone holds equal value, accepts fallibility, and recognizes the importance of others’ needs. Leaders who demonstrate humility receive positive responses from their team members, who appreciate the recognition of equality.
Display competence: Your ability to convey expertise in your field increases the likelihood of your team members following your lead. Continually enhance your knowledge and proficiency, and share your insights with your team, helping them excel. For instance, attending professional development courses and highlighting key takeaways during team meetings can be effective.
Encourage individual expression: A good leader communicates their vision for the team and encourages members to contribute through innovation, collaboration, and engagement, cultivating a sense of co-ownership and instilling pride and a feeling of belonging. When team members realize that their voices contribute to their achievements, they become more motivated and invested.
Facilitate small victories: Set your employees up for greater success by helping them achieve incremental goals. People respond positively when their potential is magnified through achievements, and they appreciate leaders who assist them in thriving. Recognizing the team’s collective efforts when celebrating successes can be particularly rewarding, as it acknowledges everyone’s contribution to the project.
Believe in your team members: When individuals know that someone believes in their capabilities, it can be a powerful motivator for them to achieve more. Regularly and sincerely express your belief in your employees’ work, celebrate their accomplishments, and support them by advocating for them and helping when needed.
Prioritize serving others: Nurturing the growth of others is a fundamental responsibility of leadership. Embracing a “servant leadership” approach places your employees’ needs above your own, fostering a work environment where individuals at all levels feel respected, appreciated, and valued.
Cultivate ambitious goals for others: Influential leaders envision and cultivate abilities in their employees, often surpassing what individuals may recognize in themselves. Helping others reach their full potential should be a primary objective for any leader.
Strike a balance between autonomy and authority: Influential leaders understand the importance of building relationships with their employees while inspiring them. To gain more respect and trust from your team, consistently demonstrate confidence in their growth, emphasizing that you trust their work quality, time management skills, and ability to find necessary resources. Autonomy fosters individual and collective creativity, motivating and encouraging your team.
Lead with integrity: Upholding what is right, regardless of difficulty, is crucial for leaders. Team members are likelier to trust and follow leaders who exhibit integrity and take personal responsibility for their actions.
How To Become an Empathetic Leader?
Leadership involves inspiring, motivating, and guiding individuals toward action through establishing emotional connections.
Empathy is a vital attribute for leaders, and there are several ways to cultivate compassionate leadership. One approach is to genuinely take an interest in the people around you, while another involves exploring your emotions and those of your employees.
To enhance your empathy skills, here are five actionable steps you can implement immediately:
Improve your listening skills: Effective listening is crucial for building relationships and understanding the concerns of others. However, it can be challenging to listen genuinely, as we often focus solely on spoken words, disregarding the underlying emotions. To become a better listener, pay attention not only to the words but also to body language. Employ strategies such as listening with undivided attention, taking notes during conversations for later reflection, practicing active listening, and eliminating distractions from your environment. Start by:
- Paying close attention to what others say, even if they ramble or express their problems.
- Pausing briefly before responding, allowing time to choose the right words for the speaker.
- Avoiding telling people how they should feel, as it can worsen their emotional state.
Cultivate self-awareness: Developing empathy as a leader requires starting with a deep understanding of your emotions. By doing so, you can effectively guide others through challenging situations and create a more comfortable work environment. Self-awareness forms the foundation of emotional intelligence. You can enhance self-awareness by journaling your thoughts, feelings, and actions in different situations. Reflect on your reactions and their outcomes, considering how alternative responses might yield more positive results. When faced with similar situations in the future, consciously choose to react positively in line with job requirements.
Foster bonds with your team: Building empathy within the workplace can be difficult, but initiating connections with your team is an essential starting point for becoming a better leader. Empathy involves understanding, sharing, and caring about others’ feelings, needs, and desires, even without personal experience. It also entails establishing relationships based on mutual respect. Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability, as this can demonstrate empathy towards your team. The softer side of leadership often leads to unbreakable bonds between managers and their teams.
Embrace different perspectives: The traditional view of leadership often assumes complete control, disregarding alternative viewpoints and hindering meaningful contributions from others. To become an effective leader, you must adopt an open-minded approach. Be willing to explore different perspectives and opinions, understanding the needs of your team and their unique perspectives. Remember, leadership is not about perfection or being flawless; it’s about comprehending people and their diverse viewpoints. You can cultivate this by:
- Being aware of your own biases and assumptions.
- Recognizing how your opinions can influence your decisions.
- Identifying motivational factors within the work environment.
- Acknowledging and respecting individual differences.
- Maintaining an open mind and embracing ongoing learning.
Practice kindness: Kindness should be a central focus for every leader. While it may not come naturally to everyone, with dedication and effort, anyone can cultivate greater empathy through practicing kindness towards those around them. Empathy enables you to grasp a situation before acting and better understand your team members’ experiences, allowing you to respond with humility, compassion, and kindness.
How Can You Become A Respectful Leader?
There are five core principles of Respectful Leadership. When applied intentionally and genuinely, these practices are a powerful and effective way to conduct yourself when interacting with others. Whether it’s your employees, colleagues, clients, bosses, friends, family, or even strangers, these practices will help you consistently and positively influence others without resorting to intimidation or humiliation.
Principle #1: Lead with Respect
A respectful leader offers respect to others first; they don’t wait to be treated with respect before showing it themselves. Simple gestures like a warm smile, appropriate eye contact, and respectful language such as surnames or relevant titles (e.g., Sir, Ms., Mr., Ma’am) can demonstrate respect. While workplace communication and dress codes have become more informal, fostering collaboration, and breaking down hierarchies, treating others as equals is still important.
There is a common misconception that respect must be earned. However, if you believe that respect must be earned, shouldn’t the same apply to you as a leader? Shouldn’t you earn the respect of your employees, or do you expect it solely based on your position? Insisting that you don’t have to earn their respect would be hypocritical and disrespectful, implying a sense of superiority due to your status. This mindset is counterproductive. Respectful leaders are the first to offer respect.
Principle #2: Practice Respect Regularly
We are taught about common courtesy and good manners from a young age. Saying “Please” and “Thank you,” greeting others with a smile and a “Good Morning,” using phrases like “Excuse me,” being punctual or notifying others if you’ll be late, and actively listening are all examples of common courtesies. To be a Respectful Leader, you must consistently and sincerely engage in these practices with everyone.
Principle #3: Be Worthy of Respect
While you may expect others to respect you due to your position or authority, it cannot be assumed that they always will. It is essential to strive to deserve others’ respect continuously. Demonstrating honesty, following through on commitments, being fair and unbiased, avoiding favoritism, refraining from excessive cursing or swearing, providing clarity and allowing for questions, cultivating patience, and setting reasonable timeframes are all qualities that make a leader respect-worthy. Respectful Leaders actively practice being deserving of respect.
Principle #4: Recognize Hidden Gems
Respectful leaders consistently seek out and acknowledge the qualities, characteristics, skills, and perspectives in others that deserve respect. They encourage others to do the same. This practice holds great power. When individuals feel genuinely respected and appreciated for their unique abilities and behaviors, they develop a sense of pride. Their self-confidence grows, leading to a more positive and energetic attitude. Respected individuals tend to be more loyal and willing to navigate challenging situations.
It’s important not to reserve acknowledgment solely for the outstanding performers on your teams. Recognize and appreciate each person’s value, whether it’s a specific skill or their treatment of others. Meaningfully acknowledge these behaviors. Respectful Leaders consistently seek out hidden gems in everyone.
Principle #5: Manage Your Emotional State
Leaders inevitably encounter problems and challenges, each varying in intensity and emotional impact. It’s crucial to be mindful of your emotional state and “Get your shift together” before reacting. Ignoring this can lead to emotional outbursts of frustration or anger directed at others. Take a short walk outside to clear your head, or if that’s not possible, pause and take a few deep breaths before responding.
Another way to manage your emotional state is to find a trusted individual with whom you can vent, provide a listening ear, and empathize with your frustrations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, self-awareness is a crucial attribute of effective leadership. By implementing strategies to enhance self-awareness, leaders can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their impact on others, and the dynamics of their environment.
Leaders can create a clearer sense of their strengths, weaknesses, and emotional intelligence through self-reflection, feedback from trusted contacts, and attentiveness to others’ reactions. This heightened self-awareness enables leaders to make more informed decisions, build stronger relationships, and effectively navigate various situations.
Leaders can foster personal and professional growth by continuously practicing self-evaluation and leveraging their self-awareness while positively influencing their teams and organizations. Cultivating self-awareness empowers leaders to unlock their full potential and drive success in their leadership journey.