When you are put in the position to lead others, you have already gained the trust of someone. It is time to gain the trust and respect of your team now, as well. It is also important to learn some leadership techniques. Use the information below to help improve your skills as a leader.
Say thank you to your employees. Many studies have been done on the power of a thanks given from a manager to his or her employees. It increases productivity, often by a lot. Just a little graciousness really can help extend your power as a leader, so be active about it.
Don’t rely on email to manage your team. Overreliance on email makes you seem like a distant emperor who hands down edicts from on high. You will not only build resentment among your team, but also miss out on the chance to build relationships that will improve productivity in the long run.
Don’t do things in the workplace that people may see as deceitful or devious. To engender a sense of trust in those you lead, you need to stay true to the promises you make. If you claim to provide excellent service, everyone on your team has to be involved and understand the process.
Rehearse the behaviors and attitudes you wish to display as an effective leader in your mind. Try to create the most realistic vision you can. When the time comes, focus on putting the behaviors you practiced into action. This method is often used by athletes before a big competition or race.
Keep an open mind. Take some classes or go to workshops on a regular basis to learn new skills on how to lead well. There are always new techniques to learn and skills to improve. Stay informed about changes in your industry.
Communicating with your team is very important. Everyone should know about the general direction you are taking and be aware of changes. Not providing this information will affect productivity. Poor communication makes you look inexperienced and foolish.
Don’t take exceptional employees for granted. Reward your best workers. Give them more varied responsibilities and better opportunities. Match their pay to their performance. Don’t let hard work go unnoticed. Make sure that you are reviewing the performance of your workers on a regular basis. If someone is truly going above and beyond, reward them for it.
Trust your gut instincts. One of the reasons you’re a leader is that you have great instincts, so pay attention to them. Of course, you will make mistakes sometimes. Accept, learn, and move on from them. Do not forget the errors you make, because they can help you from repeating them later.
While a degree of assertiveness is useful in certain aspects of leadership, think twice before using aggressive humor. This particular type of humor tends to win laughs at the expense of others, which can create a hostile and unpleasant working environment. It also makes it difficult for members of your team to view you as a fair, respectful leader.
Besides recognizing your employees talents, you must also know your own strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate your own abilities often and work to improve on those areas that are weaker. Become a better manager by attending leadership training courses, continuing your formal education and adopting a mentor who is a successful business leader.
If you are in a leadership position, there is a lot relying on your success as an effective leader. It is time to step up and try to be the best leader possible. Take the information above to heart. It may mean the difference between you being a mediocre leader or a great one.