Leadership skills are instilled in everyone, we are all meant to lead our lives, to our dreams, but we can always improve in this area. Leadership is more of an action and less of a position. You may have reached success, and you may be content with your life. You also might feel the thirst for more, this is natural. We naturally wish to grow and expand primarily in the area of leadership. There are a few good and bad habits you can tweak to promote growth in this area. Most of this starts internally. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve. Make 2017 your leadership year.
5. Practice Patience
When you are always trying to find the quickest way or the best shortcuts, you do not develop the mastery of your industry or skill. It is all about the journey. Why the rush? The rush is something that you have prepared in your mind. We often forget to stay focused looking forward and mistakingly look beside us at someone else’s pace. You have your plan and your course. Take the time to allow your experiences to soak in; it’s worth it. Take the scenic route.
4. Put Your Phone Away During Meetings And Conversations With People
They deserve it. To be on your phone while someone is talking to you is rude and disrespectful. The person speaking to you is giving you their time, and you’re saying that they don’t deserve yours while you’re on your phone. MEANWHILE, while you are on your phone… that person is expressing themselves not only with words but with body language. You are missing so much of this conversation, even if you hear what they have to say. Respect is a virtue that real leaders establish.
3. Speak From The Heart
When speaking in general, speak with courage and speak from the heart. This isn’t about speaking sweetly; it is also about speaking with courage. Stand for something and do not let your knees go weak on it. People respond to substance and passion. Give praise to your fellow employees who have done well. Give credit where its due. The grass is green where you water it. If someone is doing good, compliment them, and they will do great.
2. Give People A Path
Help your employees pave a path with you. This helps them see a future with you and then they are growing towards something. If you give them goals and hope for a future, they will work to get there. Motivation can move mountains and employees just want an environment they can feel comfortable in a while working towards doing something amazing. We all want to be a part of something bigger, and your team will go a long way with you if you guide the way for them. Communication is the key to your team’s growth. It should be somewhat collaborative.
1. Keep Your Word
Last but not least, the age old cliche. Keep your word; your word is your bond. Life can get hectic, and you may not keep track of things you say and promises you make, but you really should. Disappointment will strike when you make promises or agree to do things that you can’t fulfill. Words that leaders have held themselves to hold more weight. Keeping your word is somewhat heroic, and people will have faith and trust in you. Trust helps the people around you breathe easy and in turn, work more efficiently.
