Moving into a leadership role is a challenge no matter how many years of business experience you have. That is why it is so important for experienced business professionals to develop their leadership skills and learn team-management techniques before they accept high-level management positions. Learning new leadership skills can help you overcome management challenges and do a better job of motivating subordinates to reach their goals. Follow these five tips to become a better leader and take control of your career.
In a June 26 article in Library Journal, Steven Bell says that people who take on leadership roles will likely encounter some cynicism in the workplace. If you anticipate this cynicism, you can effectively manage people without making them suspicious of your motives. With the right leadership skills, you can use a six-step process to make people believe in you. This process includes communicating your values and beliefs consistently, following through on your promises, listening to employees, building a community, allowing others to take on leadership roles, and making learning a continuous process in your life. If you do not currently have the leadership skills necessary to follow this process, consider enrolling in a leadership training program.
If you are already following the six-step process, there are other things you can do to learn to be a great leader. One is to understand the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and team management. The five elements of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation—are essential for successful leadership. Some of these leadership skills can be learned, but many leaders seem to develop others naturally. Being able to modify your own behavior is one of the most important leadership skills you can learn. If you review your own behavior and see that you are setting a bad example for employees, you must be able to adjust it and model better behavior for others.
Another tip for becoming a great leader is learning to understand the differences between the communication styles of men and women. Men tend to focus on specific transactions within the organization, while women like to build relationships. What works with one group may not work with another, so it is important to understand each team member's motivations and respond to them appropriately. Finally, you must develop excellent communication skills if you expect to become a great leader. Whether you are communicating by telephone or in writing, you must be able to get your point across in a professional manner. Good communication can also help you avoid hurt feelings and misunderstandings with employees.
Moving into a leadership position is a very rewarding opportunity, but it does take some adjustment. If you do not currently have the skills you need to succeed as a manager, make a commitment to reading leadership books or enrolling in seminars or workshops to improve your leadership skills. This will make your career a rewarding one that has a positive impact on the lives of others.
(Photo courtesy of stockimages / freedigitalphotos.net)
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