It’s been said that some people are born leaders.
There’s something about them that makes people want to follow them – their charm or charisma.
Whether or not you’re a natural-born leader, there are a number of behaviors you can learn and do that will make you the kind of leader people want to listen to, respect, and follow.
We all need leaders to guide, inspire, and encourage us. A good leader can leave us confident and motivated. But how can you become a positive leader at your workplace?
Leaders Strive to See that Employees Are (and Feel) Appreciated
• Leaders ensure that staff feels appreciated for the hard work they do day in and day out. You can do this by getting actively involved with your colleagues. After all, it’s difficult for you to make someone feel good about themselves if you have no idea what exactly they do. Pay attention!
• Leaders communicate effectively with others. Let others know that they can freely voice their opinions and ideas to you. Listen attentively to every person who reports to you. They’ll sense they are valuable players on your team. (and they are!)
• Leaders are professional, but personable. When you’re introducing employees to visitors or senior managers, always introduce them by their first name. Refer to them as your team members, colleagues, or associates. Never refer to them as your subordinates.
Leaders Seek to Be Positive Role Models
Good leaders do more than talk the talk; they actually walk the walk.
By setting a good example and understanding the needs and pressures of the team, a leader can help others see the big picture and help them understand why their roles are so important to the team’s success.
Here are a couple of ways to lead by example:
• Good leaders set a good example. If you’re trying to get your employees to be more involved in their jobs and help others when they need it, what are you doing to set a good example? Good leaders roll up their sleeves and get down to business with the people that are working for them.
• Good leaders fight for the rights of their team at all levels. If you show your team how much you respect their needs, you’ll gain their respect, too. For example, if a pay raise is stalled, actively investigate why it’s stalled and keep your team updated.
Leaders Take an Individual Approach
• A good leader understands that different people are motivated in different ways. People naturally like to see a positive outcome for the work they do and the key is to find out what motivates the people you work with.
Is the motivation to get a pay increase? Is it recognition for a job well done? Or is it being named employee of the month?
Motivation can be very individualized. Take the time to get to know the people working with you so you can determine the best way to motivate them.
If your business cannot currently afford expensive employee rewards, sometimes a nice dinner or a thoughtful gift is enough to show your employees your appreciation. Remembering birthdays with even just a handwritten note on a birthday card can be particularly meaningful – especially when so much communication we receive is now in digital form.
• Good leaders know that each person is essential to the success of the team as a whole. Don’t take the people working for you for granted. Remember that getting the respect you desire first starts with respecting others.
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NOTE:
The information here is written for leaders working in Western-oriented cultural settings...If you are working with people from a different culture, be intentional to learn the best way to communicate in the context of that particular culture. If you’d like more information on developing your cultural intelligence, leave a comment.
Sources
Image by fahribaabdullah14 from Pixabay