If you’ve ever worked for a bad or mismanaged leader, you’re probably already aware of the importance of having a good leader. In fact, the quality of leadership can be the difference between tolerating your job and actually enjoying it.
Read on to learn about the qualities that can make you a good and successful leader.
What Makes a Good Leader?
If you’ve ever felt that a poor leader has affected your productivity and mood at work, you’re not alone. According to a study by The Ken and Blanchard Companies, poor leadership can decrease team productivity by up to 7%. The study also revealed that about 54% of managers utilize the same strategies of leadership in all situations and people. About half the time, this leads to either under-supervising or over-supervising.
Either way, the consequences of bad leadership are clear. Therefore, if you’re in the position of leading a team, a company, or any group of people, it is important to learn about the qualities you need to work on.
1. Critical Thinking
If you want to succeed as a leader, it is crucial to be able to think critically about the team or organization you are working with. Critical thinking skills can help you understand the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities and come up with creative yet strategic ways to deal with every situation.
2. Self-Awareness
In addition to being aware of the organization, good leaders must also be aware of themselves. This means that they should have a clear idea of their own strengths and weaknesses, what message they are sending out to the team through their actions and nonverbal communication, and how they are acting at any given point. While it is important to trust one’s gut feeling, acting on impulse isn’t always a great idea. So take your time to think, reflect, and take action accordingly.
3. Strong Vision
One of the greatest qualities that all successful leaders possess is a strong vision. The ability to look at the big picture of where the team is headed and what it is capable of is what makes an effective leader. This is because thinking ahead can help you create long-term goals and implement the right tools to achieve them.
4. Prioritize Self-Growth
Prioritizing self-growth when you’re working with a team can sound a little counterproductive, but it is necessary. Leaders who put in the work to improve themselves constantly are more resilient, determined, adaptive, strong-willed, and agile and usually possess higher emotional intelligence. Only when you work on yourself can you harness the tools you need to help your team develop. However, this doesn’t mean you should only work on yourself. Prioritize your self-growth, but your team’s development should be a close second on the list.
If you’re still struggling with developing your leadership qualities, consider signing up for the Mental Minutes Coaching program by Kimberly Dalius. It can help you build the confidence and skills to become a good leader while also helping you in other aspects of life.
