Why do you need to invest in leadership development?
It’s because companies find it essential in creating competitive advantage for their organizations. Benefits can range from improved financial performance to changing and shaping the culture of the business. Leadership development solutions ensure predictable, repeatable, and sustainable organizational success. Investment in people, when done the right way, may accelerate and multiply the growth of your company.
Selecting the best leaders to execute business objectives is another story. Are leaders born or made? Well, surely leaders show unique traits that make them stand out as individuals.
Below are a few leadership characteristics or qualities that separate the good leaders from a bad one.
HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. Honesty and integrity are two important ingredients which make a good leader. How can you expect your followers to be honest when you lack these qualities yourself? Leaders succeed when they stick to their values and core beliefs and without ethics, this will not be possible.
GOOD COMMUNICATOR. Until you clearly communicate your vision to your team and tell them the strategy to achieve the goal, it will be very difficult for you to get the results you want. Words have the power to motivate people and make them do the unthinkable. If you use them effectively, you can also achieve better results.
ACCOUNTABILITY. When it comes to accountability, you need to follow the approach highlighted by Arnold H Glasow when he said, “A good leader takes little more than his share of the blame and little less than his share of the credit.” Make sure that every one of your subordinates is accountable for what they are doing. If they do well, give them a pat on the back but if they struggle, make them realize their mistakes and work together to improve. Holding them accountable for their actions will create a sense of responsibility among your subordinates and they will go about the business more seriously.
INNOVATION. What separates a leader from a follower? Steve Jobs, the greatest visionary of our time answers this question this way, “Innovation distinguishes
between a leader and a follower.” In order to get ahead in today’s fast-paced world, a leader must be creative and innovative at the same time. Creative thinking and constant innovation is what makes you and your team stand out from the crowd. Think out of the box to come up with unique ideas and turn those ideas and goals into reality.
DECISION-MAKING CAPABILITIES. A leader should have the ability to take the right decision at the right time. Decisions taken by leaders have a profound impact on masses. A leader should think long and hard before taking a decision but once the decision is taken, stand by it. Although, most leaders take decisions on their own, but it is highly recommended that you consult key stakeholders before taking a decision. After all, they are the ones who will benefit or suffer from your decisions.
To become a good leader, you must have all these qualities but if you lack some of these qualities, then you might struggle to make the mark in the world of leadership. You will have to set a good example for others to follow. That is where your commitment, passion, empathy, honesty and integrity come into play. Good communication skills and decision-making capabilities also play a vital role in success and failure of a leader. Lastly, innovation and creative thinking, as well as the futuristic vision, are a couple of key traits which make a leader stand out.
Do your team leaders demonstrate most if not all of these traits?
Contact us to see how we can collaborate in developing the leaders in your company. Book a no-obligation call with Carolyn NOW.
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