Leadership isn’t just a matter of your job title. As a leader you need to go beyond your job description and inspire your team to be engaged, productive and to share the company’s vision. If you can achieve these goals, your leadership qualities will shine through in measurable results – from increased productivity to improved staff loyalty.
Why leadership matters
How effectively you lead your team will make a significant difference to the outcomes you achieve for your company.
Apathy and a willingness to settle for second best have no place in leadership. It is true that we lead by example, and your enthusiasm, positive outlook and determination to achieve better outcomes and explore new approaches will be infectious among your employees.
To understand why strong leadership is so important for your company, take a look at four key aspects of leadership and how it impacts every aspect of your organisation.
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How leadership impacts a team
All companies have managers, and they play an essential role in guiding employees through specific tasks so that work is completely properly and on time. But managing is very different from leading.
Your employees don’t just need to be directed. Strong leadership involves creating a workplace environment that promotes excellence. Good leaders motivate employees to share the company’s goals, and develop a powerful team spirit so that everyone is working towards a shared vision of success.
How to improve your leadership skills
All companies have managers, and they play an essential role in guiding employees through specific tasks so that work is completely properly and on time. But managing is very different from leading.
Your employees don’t just need to be directed. Strong leadership involves creating a workplace environment that promotes excellence. Good leaders motivate employees to share the company’s goals, and develop a powerful team spirit so that everyone is working towards a shared vision of success.
How to inspire your team to become leaders
Part of your role as a leader is to have a succession plan in place so that each of your team members have the opportunity to develop their skills and step into leadership positions when they become available.
Be prepared to get to know each team member individually. Find out what helps them stay motivated and understand which areas of their skill set could be improved to enhance their leadership qualities.
Encourage your employees to become involved in activities beyond their day to day tasks. Inviting junior employees to trade functions or meetings of more senior staff can help them realise they have leadership potential, and this in itself can be highly motivating.
How to become a good leader
Strong leadership often hinges on having excellent soft skills. Communication for example, is essential to the role of a leader. Observe the way other leaders speak to their team, but bear in mind, communication is a two-way street. You need to be prepared to listen to what you staff are saying also, and foster an environment where your employees are comfortable discussing any issues with you without concerns of reprisal.
Becoming a good leader also involves learning how to motivate people. When your team members lose their drive, you need to be able to re-energise them. Recognising and rewarding your staff for outstanding effort can be a powerful motivator.