To be a successful leader, you must be real and accessible. If you are fake and unavailable you will inspire no one and your team will suffer. Below are 5 tips to help you achieve success as a leader:
1. Be Relateable
This is a balance that a true leader learns how to successfully master.
If you lead from a place in which you become untouchable your team will have no connection to you. If your team has no connection to you, there level of loyalty and dedication will be lacking. A staff that is unconnected will not work as hard, and is more likely to move onto other organizations in which they can be part of something bigger.
“You manage things; you lead people.” Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper
2. Be YourselfIt is easy to get caught up in all of the things a leader “should and shouldn’t be”. Instead take a long hard look at yourself. Who are you? What are the skills, characteristics, and traits that got you where you are as a leader today? Not that you don’t need to grow and adapt to changing times, but you need to be confident in who you are. In your integrity, in your passion, and in your self-determination—don’t change who you are at the core because it’s what got you where you are today.
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John Maxwell
3. Learn Effective CommunicationLearn how to listen—it is the most significant thing you can do as a leader. Listen with your full attention—ears, eyes, and no peaking at your cell phone. Listening will allow you to learn how your team thinks and it gives value to their hard work and dedication. Even if a presentation needs work, taking the time to listen and give feedback will encourage growth and your team will know they are supported and truly part of something bigger.
“Lead and inspire people. Don’t try to manage and manipulate people. Inventories can be managed but people must be lead.” —Ross Perot
4. Celebrate The SuccessesCelebrate your team—not just the big wins, but the lesser details too. Too many leaders are so focused on what needs to be improved that they do not take enough time to celebrate what is well done. Motivating your team to succeed is not just about pointing out flaws, it is about pointing out where people shine and taking the time to celebrate. Remember everyone in your team—from the front desk, to the top executives, play a vital role in success.
“True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well.” Bill Owens
5. Believe In Your TeamIf you don’t believe in your team then who will? If you don’t believe in your team how will anything get done? If you don’t believe in your team—you are not a leader. Learn your team’s strengths, weakness, and learn how to communicate with them both as a team and as individuals. If you don’t believe your lack of faith will shine through and the entire team will fall short.
As a leader you must look at the individual and the team, think short-term and long-term, you must be able to hold firm in your values, but adapt to changing environments. As a leader you have big shoes to fill—but you shoes will walk no distance without a team who gives you somewhere to go.
"Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." Dwight Eisenhower