Leader, a person who sets an example for others to follow. A diligent person who holds ground despite all odds. A person of all seasons. This person is the one amongst us but quite different from us. The skills and attributes set such a person apart. An invincible part of every team who is there to look over the progress of work. Such a person is the quintessential leader we are all looking. The head of the pack who binds us together despite our differences.
What Are the Attributes of a Good Leader?
Before we dwell on the ways of becoming a good leader, let us first know a good leader. We all know who is a good leader but do we know what the key ingredients of making a successful leader are. You will get to know it now.
There are many good leaders, but not all of them are successful. The reason being the lack of zeal in them. A successful leader is the one who does not work hard but works smart. He perspires as much as his subordinates but in the right direction. He communicates well with his team, makes them aware of his vision and in return understand his colleague’s viewpoint.
A successful leader is a quick learner – the person who adapts to situations very quickly. A person who learns from mistakes and owns them up. Sometimes even taking his colleagues mistakes in his stride. He knows his work and his team and hence, inspires them. This person isn’t baffled by failures but learns from them. He looks at the larger picture and doesn’t hanker for short term goals. The principal ingredient is his patience and perseverance. The very ability which doesn’t let him break down under pressure.
Now, those are the ingredients to make a successful leader, not just in the corporate sector but any sphere of life.
Tips to Become a Successful Leader
Now that we have learnt about what makes a successful leader let us dwell on the idea even more. Here are some ways to build up those essential attributes.
#1Look for the long haul:
Keep in mind the larger picture. Think like a true statesman, not a petty politician. This is the ideal distinction between a good leader and a great leader. Don’t opt for easy and short term solutions. Instead look for the best alternative that will work in the long term. Think well ahead of your time, like 5-10 years ahead and you will know the answer.
#2 Engage with your team:
Communicate with your team members. Get to know them. Take a cue of their strength and weaknesses. Build on their weaknesses and exploit their strengths for maximal effects. Keep the conversations going and keep the ideas flowing. It isn’t a one-way street. Don’t behave like an instructor and treat your juniors as students. In the end “leaders are as good as their followers”. Hence your performance depends on your whole team not only on yourself.
#3 Attribute credits to all and mistakes to yourself
Sounds a bit preachy but this is one way which will enhance your leadership skills to the fullest. Always own up your mistakes. This will boost the morale of your subordinates, and they will confide in you. Whenever you report to a higher authority, always make sure any credits and accolades that come up are attributed to the whole team and not just to you.
Similarly, when it comes to faults and mistakes, take the ownership don’t report the individual to the authorities rather take the person into confidence and work to solve it. Treat all mistakes as your fault and all good outcomes as the team effort.
#4 Be upfront and motivating
Accept the challenge at hand. Don’t regard it as a stepping stone to your career rather consider it as a way of living. Don’t get intimidated and bogged down by it. Instead be upfront and motivating. Understand the work in hand and distribute work accordingly, well in time. Thus, making them ample scope to manoeuvre and work at their own pace. Always motivate your team even when you feel disheartened. You are the master of the ship here – strong and sturdy, keeping the ship afloat on troubled weathers. Without you, it will sink in no time.
#5 Keep in mind the hurdles
An able leader is like an able statesman. He is far-sighted. He knows difficulties and hurdles are bound to arise. Hence, he keeps that in mind before embarking on the journey. Thus, chalks out a good plan and keep an eye on difficulties that might arise. This gives the team a good knowledge of the work at hand. Hence, they perform well and strategize accordingly. They don’t get disheartened when faced by problems. They know how to go about it level headed.
#6 Have an innovative and rational outlook
A successful leader is innovative and rational. He knows how to take things in his stride and work with limited resources, often coming up with new innovative ways of doing things. This makes him an important asset to the company. Although he is innovative, he isn’t irrational. He doesn’t daydream and thinks about absurd plans and ideas. Rather, this person is logical. He things pragmatically, reasons well and then take a decision.
#7 Be knowledgeable and decisive
Last but not the least, a great leader doesn’t deter from taking harsh decisions. He should be capable of taking the right decision suitable for the work hand even at the cost of hurting someone. The leader is the king who needs to take a harsh decision. His is the position of “uneasy the head that wears the crown”. This decisiveness comes when a person is knowledgeable. Hence, he should have researched about the work in hand. He should know the target audience and market dynamics of his project like the back of his hand.
These tips can make a person, a successful leader. So, make sure you imbibe them.
Endnote
Although leaders are found everywhere, successful ones are hard to come by. As they require time, opportunity and exposure to nurture. In the end “Leaders are as good as their followers”. So, we all need to be good workers to nurture a good leader amongst us.
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