Are you a strong leader? Would you like to become a stronger leader? Are you a transformational leader?
Transformational leaders are not just concerned about helping the group achieve its goals; they also care about helping each member of the group reach his or her full potential. They are positive, empowering, and inspiring. They value people and encourage them in both business and life.
Below are a few tips for how to become a better leader and how to implement strategic strategies in your daily life.
Study Your Leadership Style.
Know your current leadership style well. Discover your strengths and weaknesses. It is important to understand who you fundamentally are, who you ideally want to be and how you can get there. One way to start assessing your skills is to take this leadership style quiz to get a general idea of how you currently are leading and who you are at your core.
This quiz will reveal the major characteristics of your dominant style. Ask yourself if these qualities are helping or hindering your current leadership? Once you’ve determined which areas need some work, you can begin looking for ways to improve your leadership abilities.
Encourage Creativity.
Creativity in the form of intellectual stimulation is one of the qualities of a transformational leader. Effective leaders should offer new challenges and provide support to achieve new and existing goals.
When people become more accustomed to new things, breaking new barriers and discovering their own recipes of creative advancement, they not only feel supported, but additionally learn the very important building blocks of how to maximize their unique potential.
Walk the Walk. Be a Role Model.
It is much easier to build confidence in others if you are continually working to maintain and enhance your own confidence in your abilities. Do not ask of others what you inherently are not doing yourself. Set the alarm a little earlier. Schedule meetings and be on time. When someone is struggling, chip in. Ask for feedback. Listen and react in ways that are helpful. Volunteer. Actively discuss your goals with the team.
Be Passionate.
This is where active listening comes into play. Show each member of your team that they are valued by showing compassion and respond to things accordingly. It is not just about the result of the task. Show your zeal by recognizing the “progress through the process” and provide accolades along the way.
Communicate Effectively. Listen Intently.
Keep your door and ear open. Be known to be an approachable leader who welcomes one-on-one communication. Ask questions to be sure you understand where everyone stands. Follow-up on ways to enhance the situation. Be sure to actively listen and reiterate the shared vision to inspire continued success.
Be sure your verbal and nonverbal reactions are solution-oriented. When you have to react to a bad situation, pause, reflect, and develop an actionable plan to fix the situation as kindly as possible while doing what needs to be done in the most professional manner you can muster.
Stay Positive.
Any given day, week, month, or year is subject to the notorious bad day. How you react to conflict is key. Staying positive and solution oriented is the true test and sign of a great leader! Emulate the emotions you want to see from your team members.
Encourage People to Make Contributions.
Welcome the ideas of the group. Regularly check in and ask your team how things are going. Actively ask and encourage feedback and dialogue. When you see a team member become passionate about a project, give them a little larger role in the delivery even if it is in a small way.
Offer Rewards and Recognition.
This piggybacks off of your teams’ contributions. Be sure to give team members credit for their contributions with recognition both in front of the team and in front of other leaders in the company or organization. When people feel valued they are more apt to be loyal to the company, work harder and provide more value in return.
TechTalent Squared offers advisory services to assess your team dynamic, and help you develop as a leader.