Simple Ways to Be an Outstanding Leader
By Sandy Schroeder
If you aspire to be a leader, or are already in a position of leadership, you may have your own philosophy of what it takes to be a great boss. Either way, most of us know a good leader when we meet one.
I have had a couple bosses who were natural born leaders. They took charge the minute they entered a room, and they managed to make a connection with everyone there. Capturing that mindset and perfecting those skills takes practice, but these are some of their best traits.
At the core there is trust – Really solid bosses never make you wonder. You know they have faith in you and the team, and you know you can trust them. Whatever they say they will do is certain to happen. When a team operates with that kind of boss they give their best because they are happy to be there.
Motivation just comes naturally – Some people have a way of generating enthusiasm. Leaders who can create interest in the work usually get things done faster and better. Once you have employees really involved, everything else just seems to flow. Letting people know they are appreciated can be as simple as singling them out or giving them a well deserved afternoon off.
Keeps everything clear and simple – Leaders who take the time to make everything clear usually get the best results. When employees have to guess or keep checking back to make sure they have good directions, work quickly gets bogged down. People also get stressed out. Providing lots of time to discuss the work and ask questions can help everybody stay up to speed.
Helps to empower everyone – Good bosses take the time to help people grow and develop their skills. As employees learn, they can contribute more complex work, and help to solidify the group.
Actually listens – Leaders expect their workers to listen, but smart leaders know the best way to be heard is to also listen. One-on-one interaction can move a project forward faster than anything else. When that communication is missing, the whole process may become more tedious and less creative.
Builds a team – Smart leaders make the effort to mold their workers into a team. Without a team effort, the leader simply has a string of individuals to deal with. When the workers come together as a team, the leader has a whole lot more firepower to work with as the members reinforce each other.
Wherever you are with leadership, keep right on going. Really great leaders are always open to new ideas.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Windermere, Fla.