How to Be a Leader
How to be a leader? What does it take? Though some people possess a natural ability towards leadership, it can be learned. Like anything else, you need to identify the characteristics of a good leader and be committed to developing them through practice.
|
 |
They expect people to follow their orders, having forgotten what it was like to be the “worker bee” – if they ever knew at all. Leaders need to be the captains of the ship, willing to sacrifice their own safety by first making sure their crew is evacuated and help is on the way. If you want to be a leader, start by being humble.
How to Be a Leader:
The Buck Stops Here...
They take responsibility: Even the greatest of leaders make mistakes. How they recover from those mistakes defines their ability to lead. If you hide from the problem, you will lose the confidence that others have placed in you. Face up to the adversity of the situation and figure out how to handle it. This can require some tough decisions, but that is part of the leader’s role. Don’t pass the blame on to others. Assume responsibility for every decision, even the ones you delegated. Own up to your mistake and figure out an alternative course of action.
How to Be a Leader:
Set Your Course
They have a vision for their organization: They set measurable and attainable goals with a plan of execution that everyone understands. Continuing with the captain of the ship analogy, they set a course and timeline, assigning specific responsibilities to their crew – all of which must be carried out in order for the ship to reach its destination.
How to Be a Leader:
Uh Oh, What Do We Do??!!
 |
They plan for contingencies: If you want to be a leader, you need to consider possible negative events which may arise and have a plan in place which defines everyone’s roles. This can be as simple as training a sales team on how to respond to pushback from prospective buyers or having a fire fighting plan on the ship: everyone knows where ventilators and extinguishers are located and trained in their use. Not only do they have a plan in place, they practice the plan until it becomes second nature to the team. |
How to Be a Leader:
You Have Two Ears And One Mouth For A Reason
|
They listen: Listening to your team accomplishes great things. It shows that you care about what they have to say and that they are valuable. It’s also a way of learning from the “front line” people what’s happening – they are providing you with the necessary information to make the operation run more effectively. Doing so boosts their spirits and makes your job easier. It also helps you determine who the future leaders may be based on the quality of their feedback. It can also tell you who among your team is a trouble maker, giving you the opportunity to guide them … or reassign them. |
 |
How to Be a Leader:
Stand Up Straight. Be Proud Of Yourself And The Ones You Lead
They believe in their ability and show confidence: They also believe in their team. When people view you as a confident leader who stays calm, they will trust your decisions and do whatever you ask of them. There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Be careful not to confuse the two even though they sometimes can cross.
Following these steps will definitely help you be a leader. Devise your plan and take note of your accomplishments!
- Ted Stefanski
 |
You are what you feed yourself. I'm talking about both the body and mind. Having a negative outlook stems from not being fully confident in yourself. In order to find the positive in your life, start with what's amazing about yourself. Practice these strategies daily to boost your courage so you can remind yourself how to be a leader. Get in the habit of regular self-care and stick to it. This will help you change your outlook towards whatever situation presents itself. Baby steps! |