Skills that make a good leader
Many employers are interested in job candidates who possess leadership qualities. This is a good indicator that you can take on more managerial responsibility as you grow with a company. Here are some top leadership skills:
Communication
Written and verbal communication that is clear, appropriate and useful is the way your colleagues understand what you are asking of them. If you make it easy for people to understand your questions, instructions, comments and guidance, they can easily follow your lead.
Collaboration
Good leaders understand the importance of their team. Collaborating helps forge partnerships to get the job done and promote inclusion, ensuring that everyone is heard equally.
Assess your current approach to collaboration. Ask yourself:
• How well do I partner with team members?
• Do I work with everyone equally or only the people that I know well?
• Do I have strong people skills?
If you find that you need improvement, the best thing to do is be mindful to practice better habits. For example, before the close of your next meeting, ask if everyone feels that they have been heard. A collaborative leader employs a purposeful effort to help the team work well professionally and socially.
Active listening
Make a conscious effort to understand what people are saying. Dedicate greater attention to conversations you hold throughout the day and clarify when necessary.
Knowledge
The ability to speak from a deep understanding of a subject is crucial to strong leadership. Learn as much as you can about your industry (including best practices and trends) then determine how to use that information effectively.
Humility
Humility means understanding that no matter how much you know there is always more to learn, and others may have insights that are valuable.
Practice humility by seeking feedback from friends and colleagues. Challenge your own outlook by reading literature with an opposing view or doing research about a culture that is different from your own.
Decision-making
Leaders are constantly faced with making decisions both tough and simple. Strong decision-making is well-supported, timely, inclusive and specific.
Learn to recognize and trust your own instincts and have a more deliberative process. You can conduct research, explore your options and consult colleagues for advice. This will help to ensure firm decision-making that is effective and informed.
Self-awareness
The strongest leaders are conscious of their own patterns and behaviors, remaining aware of how they interact with the world. When you notice that you feel grumpier without your morning coffee, you are practicing self-awareness. A good leader won’t take their bad day out on their co-workers.