How To Become A Better Leader

In every aspect of life social skills can make or break your plans. You have to be able to handle people in a positive way if you intend on doing many of the fulfilling opportunities available in life. Whether we are talking about romance, friends, family, or even work social skills are a key component in your individual happiness as well as the happiness of those around you. By learning how to handle each of those areas socially you are essentially learning some of the key aspects to being not just successful in those individual areas but leadership as well. Consider the essential area in which leaders must shine, being likable. Your abilities can only be helped by increasing your ability to lead and throughout this article we will discuss how to improve your leadership capabilities.

Listen

Often overlooked, listening is a critical part of any good leader. Being able to stop talking to others and simply opening your ear and giving them your time creates an environment in which those under your direction feel like a part of the team. This can increase their willingness to put in extra hours, or even higher quality output for any work you may have them complete. Even those in high executive positions are still required to lend an ear to their consumers. The possibility of missing out on a golden opportunity because you were too busy concentrating on what you perceive to be the problem can be costly.

Story Telling

When most people think back to memories of inspirational and unforgettable people within their own lives they remember a story. The greatest leaders knew how to tell unforgettable tales that create a shared memory. This bond can easily drive and motivate people into action. Good story telling can captivate friends, engage and motivate employees, and create a sense of romance for your significant other that roses and chocolate couldn’t hope to match.

Be Honest

Honesty is an essential no brainer to me in every aspect of life. Simple matter of it is that even if you don’t want to lead a group of people honesty is expected. In that sense it’s also an essential building block for being an effective leader. By being honest and admitting flaws and mistakes you are showing that you are aware of the problems. Burying your head in the sand will discourage your employees and endanger your goals.

Transparency

Secret arrangements are bound to fail in this day and age. Everything is available online and rumors are leaked out on an almost constant basis. Engaging in secrets and private deals will only serve to hurt your chances. Establishing transparency will protect you from rumors and backtalk that could effectively undermine your ability to lead.

Team Player

Getting your hands dirty in the work that you are actively telling others to do is a team playing move and a sign of a truly involved and caring leader. Show those that you are working with that you are just as equally committed to your vision as you expect them to be. Team efforts can change the world, don’t just order people around, and challenge them!

Finger on the Pulse

Great leaders keep an eye on every event they can in an effort to be fully prepared for any reaction they may need to carry out. This effort on your part as the leader will foster a culture of responsiveness as those under your guidance will begin to understand the value of keeping an eye out for any problems. It also shows that you aren’t just bossing people around and that this isn’t just about having a title of authority.

Flexibility

Life is constantly throwing out curve balls providing challenges that could sink your efforts. Be flexible with your plans and learn how to navigate each issue as its own issue. Don’t get stuck in a single mindset as it will degrade your ability to effectively lead people. The moment those around you feel that you are oblivious to the changes going on around is the moment you lost your team. No one wants to stick around for failure and neither should you.

Excitement

Leaders need to do more than simply tell others how to act. You need to motivate through means beyond being a decent human being. Surprise those that you lead with special events that truly let them see how much you actually appreciate the work they do for you. A simple tactic that is very powerful in leading others is to under promise and over deliver. Disappointment can create a negative environment that sinks other people into it. Over delivering avoids that issue by eliminating the possibility of disappointment.

KISS

The age old adage of keep it simple stupid applies to more than just first dates. Powerful leaders were able to disseminate visionary ideas in simple ways thus reaching larger audiences. Consider something as necessary as your work plans for your employees. If you give each employee a twelve page long stack of text and expect them to understand everything you present then expect to confuse them. If you make an effort to simplify the materials you provide those under with then you will be greasing the wheels so to speak. People want simplicity in design, form and function. Provide them with it and they will be grateful.

Be Thankful

Modesty is crucial in establishing and maintaining long lasting leadership. Leaders that can truly appreciate and reward those that put forth solid efforts are given full effort time and time again. Every cog in the machine is important and you don’t want to be sunk by something as easily avoidable as a disgruntled employee. Remember to thank those that help you live out your vision.

Eduardo Dieguez is a creative writer for CareerRelay.com. He is a 1st generation American born Cuban that is currently in pursuit of his AA Degree at Valencia CC. Eduardo believes one of most important questions you will ask yourself is: what career is right for me?