Great leadership is something that can be learned and nurtured – it is not personality-dependent. Anyone can master the skills of leadership, no matter what your age, gender or background. Taking the time to do so could be life changing in the course of your career. These five practices provide a crucial foundation from which you can go on to great things in leadership.
1. Providing a structure for others
Change can be difficult but is essential to development and growth – and an exemplary leader has a big role to play in facilitating this. Great leaders set standards and establish goals, whether that is with respect to the way that people should be treated or when it comes to establishing a path to get from A to B. They identify and remove bureaucratic obstacles and clear the road ahead of red tape so that progress can be achieved. Crucial to being an exemplary leader is the ability to identify the long-term objective and then create a series of interim goals so that others can achieve small wins as they move towards the larger target. When others are unsure how to proceed – and how to get to a long-term goal – great leaders will signpost the way.
2. Fostering collaboration and teamwork
Fostering great teamwork and a spirit of collaboration is fundamental to the qualities of a great leader. This means ensuring that others are actively involved and that you are creating an atmosphere of mutual admiration and respect. Being an exemplary leader means showing others the way when it comes to establishing an atmosphere of trust and openness, giving others the tools to feel capable and competent to strengthen the overall team.
3. Inspiring others with a vision
Perhaps the most defining element of exemplary leadership is the ability to inspire others with a single shared vision. Skills such as quiet persuasion and the ability to effectively describe a vision that could change the course of an organisation’s future are crucial for enlisting others in making that vision a reality. Great leaders inspire others to share their own vision and values, and to work towards making them happen.
4. Innovating the status quo
The greatest leaders don’t simply follow established practices and processes but look for new ways to improve and innovate. They are aware of the necessity of taking risks when it comes to overthrowing the status quo and able to weigh up and analyse the risks involved. Exemplary leaders learn that failures and mistakes are an inevitable part of progress, as well as an opportunity to learn and grow.
5. Making people feel like heroes
Perhaps the hardest leadership practice to master is that of making everyone feel like a hero. Progress and transformation can be tough and it is usually down to a leader to ensure that everyone remains engaged, focused and enthusiastic so that goals can be achieved. From celebrating the small wins, to learning how to recognise accomplishments, an exemplary leader understands how to make everyone feel like they’ve done an incredible job.
Our
Essential Leadership Practices course is designed to help you to understand and appreciate the core skills and practices of effective leaders, improving both confidence and results. Get in touch with PTP today to find out more.