Five steps to becoming a strong leader
Leadership is a value of great importance to the world, independent of the setting. Every organization requires leaders to direct and lead.
But leaders aren’t created with the snap of a finger; leaders must be developed over time and cultivated within the organization.
Here are five steps that must be taken to become a strong leader:
1. Requires effort and dedication
Leading is not as simple as it seems. Proclaiming out loud that you are a leader doesn’t simply make you one.
Leadership requires focus and practice. It is a habit which must be developed and refined over time. With time, you will learn to see the bigger picture and know exactly how to behave in the environment you live in..
Characteristics you will need to develop include good communication, commitment and specially self-awareness! And remember, you will never stop learning how to become a good leader, the process is eternal and ongoing for the remainder of your professional life.
2. Multitasking functions
The job position or job title of “Leader” does not exist. If you are leading within your company, you most likely have a handful of other functions to perform.
You will have to handle people from within and from outside of your organization, including peers, team members and even customers. Therefore, you must be capable of managing all of these people and all of the functions involved with your position.
3. Don’t overload yourself: delegate
Through delegating, you as a leader are empowering your team. You can’t simply do every single function on any given project. Delegation is central to the success of any organization.
Delegation must be focused and directed. You must know well your team and their capabilities. Through this, you must correctly place the best person possible for a specific task.
Some leaders think that once they delegate, they no longer need to attend to that specific demand of a project or task. Wrong! Leaders need to make themselves available to assist after delegating!
4. Communication is everything!
Leaders must know how to communicate! To some, this comes as a natural talent. To others, it may require practice and development. But the most important part of being a master communicator is being open to feedback!
Rather than being able to express yourself, it is just as important to be able to listen to others!
5. Embody your vision of leadership
Leaders must embody the values they want employees to adopt.
They must be role models to those who they lead!
No great leader ever got anything done without inspiring and empowering others. Leadership can’t happen in a vacuum.
BASED ON: TLNT