WHAT DO LEADERS DO? When you look at the highest regarded CEOs and business leaders, they seem to share common traits of leadership that they learned and eventually became instinctual for them. The quickest way to gain mastery over the way you lead is to look at what made these leaders effective, model them and practice them often enough that it becomes so much a part of you that the behavior is automatic. So what do you need to practice to be a great leader? 1. Nurture an Approachable Environment The quick and easy path of leadership is through intimidation; holding your authority over your team members with your title, authority and power. You’ll get what you need done, but you won’t gain the respect that successful leaders do. They are experts at making others feel safe to speak-up and encourage their staff to confidently voice their opinions and share their perspectives. Successful leaders always give feedback and welcome it in return. They know this builds trustworthy relationships with their colleagues.
2. Make Decisions and Solve Problems Fast Successful leaders are expert decision makers. They either facilitate the dialogue to empower their colleagues to reach a consensus or they do it themselves. They focus on “making things happen” at all times, and not wasting time on issues that disrupt momentum. They aren’t afraid to tackle issues head-on and know how to discover the heart of the matter at hand. They don’t procrastinate and are proficient at problem solving; they learn from and don’t avoid uncomfortable circumstances.
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3. Communicate Expectations and Reward Performance Successful leaders are great communicators. They remind their colleagues of the organization’s code of honor and remind them of expectations. They make it easy for the team to stay focused and on track. They always measure performance and are active in acknowledging hard work and efforts (no matter the result). Successful leaders never take consistent performers for granted and constantly reward them.
4. Equip People and Delegate Authority Successful leaders never stop teaching because they are so self-motivated to learn themselves. They use teaching to keep their colleagues well-informed and knowledgeable through statistics, trends, and other newsworthy items. They know the people – how and when to utilize their unique talents for the right circumstances.
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They understand their colleagues’ mindsets, capabilities and areas for improvement. They use this knowledge/insight to challenge their teams to think and stretch them to reach for more. If you are not thinking, you’re not learning new things. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. And great leaders are always learning. 5. Ask Questions, Seek Counsel Successful leaders ask questions and seek counsel all the time. From the outside, they appear to know-it-all – yet on the inside, they have a deep thirst for knowledge and constantly are on the look-out to learn new things because of their commitment to making themselves better through the wisdom of others.
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6. Lead by Example and Be Accountable Sounds like common sense, but few leaders are consistent with this one. Successful leaders walk the talk and are mindful of their actions. They are also secure enough to allow their colleagues to manage them – to call them out on their excuses. Being accountable to others is a sign that you are committed to the success of the team and the organization rather than just your own.
7. Positive Energy & Attitude Successful leaders create a positive and inspiring culture. They know how to set the tone and bring an attitude that motivates their colleagues to take action. They are likeable, respected and strong willed. They don’t allow failures to disrupt momentum.
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8. Enjoy the Responsibility Successful leaders love being leaders – not for the sake of power but for the meaningful and purposeful impact they can create. It’s about your ability to serve others and this can’t be accomplished unless you genuinely enjoy what you do. They love to succeed and pull others up along with them to share in their accomplishments.
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