5 Ways To Become a Better Leader

Being a leader is not just about telling people what to do and sitting in a big ‘boss’ chair. Effective leadership allows you to have an effect on employees and their company as a whole because they lead by example. Take a look at these five tips that will help you exercise healthier leadership:

1. Incorporate a Shared Vision

Truly effective leadership is that where leaders can clearly communicate their vision to their team members, causing a ripple effect of inspiration and motivation.

That way, everyone recognizes that they’re a crucial element for this vision to come to life, making them feel committed and responsible for doing their part to support the goals of the company.

2. Have Realistic and Clear Expectations

Rather than expecting each team member to do their job, it is essential that you assign and communicate what tasks they are responsible for and the goals to be met. This way, you avoid feeling disappointed by a team member’s performance when the job you’re disappointed by simply wasn’t within their responsibilities.

Similarly, it is essential that as a leader, you assess whether or not the goals you’ve assigned to a team member are attainable. Giving unattainable responsibilities will lead to failure, dramatically dropping employee morale.

Accurately distributing tasks within your company will create a sense of organization and keep your expectations on par with the tasks at hand.

3. Be a Good Listener

Being a good listener doesn’t mean you will always have to agree, but that you value your team members enough to listen and act on what they say. Whether it is resolving a conflict within the workspace, a scheduling emergency, or a simple suggestion or feedback, embrace open communication and let them know that you value their good ideas and the fact that they’ve come forward.

When team members feel acknowledged, they will be more likely to requite this behavior by making more positive contributions to the company. At the end of the day, who doesn’t want to be heard?

4. Be Empathetic

Most leaders fail to comprehend the importance of empathy within the working space, as it can often be considered unprofessional. However, they fail to grasp that being empathetic doesn’t mean you become best friends with your team members and lose your position as a leader. On the contrary, it means that you’re a real person, just like them, making you appear more approachable and earn respect.

When you give people the green light to feel and communicate what’s on their minds, that’s a powerful tool.

5. Engage in Honest Communication

As a leader, it is essential that your team members feel comfortable enough to discuss work matters with you openly. The best way to build trust and encourage communication from your team is by being honest and transparent yourself, so it serves as an example for them. Your company should be a reflection of yourself, and when you communicate ethically and straightforwardly, your team members will follow.

It is well known that employees who work under great leaders tend to be happier and more productive, so by implementing these tips in your leadership style, you could see the change you want in your company.