ARE YOU AN EFFECTIVE LEADER?
Gwenn Hill
Leaders are not born. Leaders are created, and the whole process starts inside the most dangerous place you will ever encounter, your mind. How can you become a strong, effective leader who inspires others, drives people toward excellence, holds people accountable, and instills a sense of trust? First, you need to know what makes a great leader.
4. KNOW YOUR PEOPLE
1. CONTROL
You cannot lead a group of people unless you truly understand their hopes, dreams, challenges, and goals.
How can you inspire others to focus on the task at hand when you are not focused?
Talk to your team and get to know them. Getting to know each
person on a personal level will strengthen the bond between you.
Your team will want to do better for you because you’ are more than
just their “boss.” Be their leader, first, and their friend second. You
are their leader, and that means that you have to make difficult
decisions from time to time. These decisions cannot be affected by
personal relationships.
Every great leader in history has had to become a master of self-discipline and willpower to stay focused on the big picture. If you do
not have a goal or the drive to achieve it, you cannot lead others to
reach their own, Follow through in everything you do. Be consistent,
be where you need to be when you need to be there. You need to
possess the strength to do what needs to be done despite how you
feel. Resist the temptation to give up. Remember, you are setting an
example for others.Choose your emotional response to a situation
carefully. Sometimes it is best to keep the negativity to yourself.
Choose positivity as a model your team.
2. PROJECT YOUR GOALS 5. MAKE THE HARD CALL
There are times when you have to bite the bullet and make some unpleasant decisions. Firing,
demoting, and holding people accountable for their actions can be very hard. As a leader, it’s
your responsibility to handle these situations.
If your team does not completely understand their role or the importance of their jobs, they
will struggle to understand and share your vision or work ethic.
Make sure to communicate with your team every step of the way.
This level of communication will ensure that everyone is on the
same page and that they know what you expect of them.Get your
team involved in the planning process and the implementation of
your ideas. Getting everyone involved will provide a greater sense of
ownership towards the result.
No matter where your leadership role takes you, believe that you
can be an active leader. Remember that to lead others; you must be
disciplined yourself. After all, your actions will speak louder than
anything you can say. To gain the respect of others, strive to lead
by example in every area of your life.When you follow these simple
guidelines, you will be well on your way to becoming the strong,
capable leader your organization deserves.
3. PRAISE HIGHLY &
CRITICIZE CONSTRUCTIVELY
Make sure you publicly praise the people who do excellent work for you.
Praise will give each person a sense of accomplishment and drive
them to be better. When someone does something wrong, offer
constructive criticism and do it privately. Suggest solutions on how
they can improve. Take the time to answer any questions. They will
be more willing to accept your input if they know your intention is
to help and not to harm them.
14
NOVEMBER ☐ DECEMBER