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A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way – John C. Maxwell.
Every organization needs a strong and effective leader to drive it to success. Without strong and clear leadership, it is impossible to achieve success for your organization. Hence it becomes imperative for all organizations to have strong leadership at all levels.
But the question which arises is, is everyone a born leader? Is leadership reserved only for top management? The answer to both of these questions is negative. Everyone is not naturally a leader, but leadership qualities can be acquired easily by actively pursuing leadership skills at the workplace. Also, leadership qualities are not reserved only for higher management; it can be demonstrated by anyone, be it the CEO or any other employee.
In this article, we have discussed the must-have qualities of leadership to be an effective leader.
Understanding and assessing yourself and your leadership style are important for your employees and the organization. What are your strengths and weaknesses is essential in determining how you will lead. This will help you realize which areas you can contribute effectively and which areas you can’t, and need support. Once the areas of weaknesses have been identified you can start working on it to improve your leadership skills.
SWOT analysis or Multi-rater feedback process can help you with identifying your strengths and weaknesses.
Also Read: Implementing A 360 Performance Review
Listening and observing are the most important and the least understood of all leadership skills. A great leader should not only be a good speaker but also a good listener. Being a good listener, the leader will be actively involved in the conversation, which will help them understand the nuances of it.
Sometimes it is not only the verbal cues but also non-verbal cues through which employees express themselves. Body language, expressions, and manners reveal a lot about the person. An effective leader should be able to understand what makes their employee passionate and excited about their work and what does not. As a result, the organization will have an engaged and happy workforce.
A leader’s attitude towards every task affects the overall work environment, as they are the source of inspiration for their employees. An ideal leader should be one who continues to display optimism, enthusiasm, hope, and confidence in the face of all challenges. When a leader is successful in keeping away negative feelings and attitudes, a positive workforce and work environment will be created.
Also Read: Work Stress? 5 Easy Ways To Tackle It
To be an effective leader in the workplace, you should be open-minded. You should be ready to listen to others and be ready to accept any change or challenges which come in your way.
An open-minded leader will lead to the creation of a work environment where everyone’s opinions are valued and given importance. This will lead to a positive and open culture in the organization where employees will not fear to voice their opinions and get repressed. This will increase employee engagement and boost employee morale.
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships – Michael Jordan.
An effective leader in the workplace is one who believes in working as a team, and also works towards building a successful one. Great teams do not manifest themselves within a day; they are created with perseverance and need time and nurturing. Leaders need to spend time with each employee individually to become aware of the weaknesses and strengths of each employee. They will be able to multiply their strengths and divide their weaknesses while working as a team. As a leader, you should always be able to support, help, guide, and mentor your employees.
Also Read: Developing A High Performance Team
To be able to motivate is considered as one of the top qualities of a leader. Motivational speeches do motivate the employees, but more than that, it is their actions that create an impact. As a leader, you can motivate your employees by showing interest in their goals and ideas, including them in strategic discussions, praising them publicly, and rewarding them for their achievements. A leader who can motivate its employees successfully impacts the retention rate of the organization positively. Employees who are always motivated at their work tend to stay in the same organization.
A leader is often required to take important decisions on behalf of the organization under difficult circumstances. The leader can’t be afraid of making the tough calls when required. An informed decision should be taken after understanding and analyzing the issue completely. Leaders with good problem solving and decision-making skills will be able to lead a team effectively.
Also Read: 8 Key Features To Look For In a Performance Management Tool
Thus, we can see that an effective leader is like a lifeline and guide for the organization who drives the workforce to work with maximum potential and achieve success.
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The Coronavirus has affected the way we work today and for months to come. Unprecedented events require unprecedented measures. We at Engagedly believe it is our responsibility as socially conscious corporate citizens to help equip organisations with additional tools and resources during this time of crisis.
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