Perhaps being a leader may look like a very easy task, something that can be easily accomplished. But trust us, it takes a lot of effort and resilience to become a good and effective leader. There are numerous days of criticism and backlashes that one faces from his team, be it your fault or not. And then you finally evolve as a great leader. Amongst all the tasks that exist in the world, leadership is the toughest of all of them, yet the most rewarding job role; if performed dutifully.
A lot of you, who are reading this article may be leading a team or an organization and wish to be a better commander in the eyes of your teamsmen. But you might not know where to start from. Don’t worry, in this article, we have rendered 7 leadership qualities that a leader has for you to help navigate through this challenging task. Once you go through these leadership qualities mentioned by us, you will find handling your team easy. Come let’s take a quick look at each one of them.
7 Leadership Qualities that a Leader Has
1. Thinking Strategically
Before managing a team, a leader’s first task is to handle himself. This involves having a clear image of what has to be done, how it has to be done, and how can he allocate people and resources towards accomplishing this task. Organizing oneself is the first step to becoming a good leader. Once a person knows what they need to do and has a clear image of all the work ahead, navigating tasks becomes easier. This is one of the many leadership qualities that make an ordinary person an extraordinary leader. Chart down all the tasks and assignments for the week and create a road map for them. Then discuss them with your teammates and get started on it. You will be able to see the results eventually.
2. Empathy
A leader was once himself an ordinary employee. Hence he knows all the problems employees face in an organization. A good leader addresses his teammates with utmost respect and talks to them whenever they face any shortcomings. He knows that his team is more than any other thing and listens to them willfully. To become a great leader, first, sit and talk to your colleagues, listen to their queries, and make them feel comfortable and heard. If you excel in developing this quality within you without fail, you have already become a good commander in front of them.
3. Constant Encouragement
A leader never fails to encourage his teammates in every possible manner he can. Whether it is through thoughtful words of appreciation or celebrating his team’s hard work and achievements, a leader pays note to note of everything that happens within his circle. And if someone isn’t able to perform to the best of their capabilities, an effective leader pours him with constant motivation and ensures that everyone in the team is working without facing any problems. To be a good leader, one must have this leadership skill imbibed in him or her. Small acts of encouragement keep employees motivated and become a reason to perform to the best of their abilities.
4. Communication
One key leadership quality is communicating with each other. This is crucial for sharing information or passing orders. Communication plays an active part and is important for any leader who manages a team or an organization. This helps him keep a record of key updates. A leader keeps things clear and straightforward with his team and listens to them patiently. Deep and effective communication also helps the employees understand what is expected of them and what needs to be done. On the leader’s part, it should be an inbuilt leadership skill within him that he makes complex things easy to understand and communicates with his team regularly. It is advisable to keep things clear and blunt at both ends to avoid future differences which may result in a lack of proper functioning in the organization.
5. Making Effective Decisions
This is one of the most underrated leadership qualities. Being in a leader’s position comes with making crucial decisions that ultimately have to be in the best interest of the organization. These often include decisions on matters that may feel overwhelming or difficult most of the time; matters that may demand your complete devotion towards them. But amidst all of this, there is always room for help and guidance. In the end, a leader’s decisions affect the welfare of his team or organization, and taking different perspectives from people around him can only assist him in formulating an effective decision. Remember, decisions are never taken in haste. So take time, analyze the different options and perspectives, and take up calls that prove to be the best in the interest of others.
6. Delegating Responsibilities
If you think that leaders can do everything on their own, then you are wrong. To some extent, every leader has to delegate duties to improve the productivity of the organization. This works both ways- the leader can lessen the burden of tasks assigned to him, while, the employees feel encouraged and motivated through this delegated process. Through this, the team members develop trust and confidence as they get to learn something new. This, in turn, deepens the bond between the leader and colleagues, eventually working as a benefitting factor for the organization. Studies have shown that authorities who delegate tasks to their teams and individuals function better rather than those who decide to work up everything on their own. Delegation further creates new employment opportunities as it calls for the demand for new people who have unique skill sets, which may improve the efficiency of the existing teams.
7. Cooperation
In life, you will always be remembered for your cooperation and how well you worked with them, not only as a leader but as a colleague too. Cooperation means complying with each other and working together cordially. This fosters a collaborative and friendly environment where anybody can work with ease. Remember that by being a leader, your work does not only end at delegating responsibilities or ordering others to get tasks completed, but you need to step in with them and help them reach the end desired outcomes. To bring all of them together on the same boat and working together with each other’s cooperation is the biggest leadership quality that a leader can ever possess. By this quality, you not only win over the trust of your teammates but also enhance the productivity of each member.
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Conclusion
These 7 skills define a true leader. By imbibing these qualities, one unlocks his potential to be a great leader and an ideal role model for his fellow corporate mates. Be it empathizing with others and being a patient listener, or delegating responsibilities effectively, this article can prove to be fruitful in bringing out the best leader in you. As Walter Whipmann once said, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.”
