mlkLeaderWhen approaching leadership with an open mind and an honest desire to learn more and give more, it’s important to consider some best practices tips and info if you really want to be a leader. In this VERY brief article I’m going to give you a quick overview of what most leaders somehow seem to inherently know about getting others to follow.

First and foremost, you have to understand that a leader is always a follower first in some sense. Sure they may hold the limelight but this doesn’t come without considerable risks. In order to take those risks, a leader has to believe that the “reward” (which is open for interpretation) is worth more than any risks involved. So think of a leader as a de facto voice for those who otherwise may not have anyone to speak for them. Also remember that leadership is open for anyone with the willingness and the wherewithal to give it a shot.

Next, let others know what your vision is. Don’t be shy. Also remember that you don’t necessarily have to expound some brilliant and otherwise never before seen vision of the future. Initially just let others know where you stand on the issues. One example of doing this may be utilizing your company’s mission as a guide. Maybe you can think of some personalized why to incorporate your company’s values into everyday life. Make sure your team gets an idea of what the bigger picture is about so they can feel good about their accomplishments. This can provide direction and build your relationships with them.

Remember, keep it simple, leader! (Notice that I didn’t say “stupid.” :)) Keep your eye on the things that are most important. Start setting your priorities. Make the work simple when possible. In some sense, the great thinker is the simplifier. So set aside time to think about how to undertake the projects and complete them with minimal minutia. You’re a leader, so focus on the big picture.

Do not assume that workers are able to read your mind. Explain exactly how you need a task done, when it must be done, and how you would like it done. Make yourself available for questions. That way, if someone misunderstands, they feel comfortable asking you for clarification.


Be as transparent as possible with business issues. In the past, many so-called “great leaders” used to cover up problems; that isn’t the case anymore, nor should really have ever been! How come? Communication is essential in today’s environment. Be honest. Be open. The truth will come out whether you like it or not. So be the person that communicates openly. Try to be the person relaying the message, not the one reacting to it. Great leaders follow and they remember who their core audience is.

Make ethical choices. Ethics plays a huge role in any business and in your personal life. Just knowing that a company is ethical makes consumers trust them much more. Plus, in cultivating moral and ethical responsibilities for employees, you can be sure rules are followed and both quality and trust are always upheld.

Be prepared before speaking to the team. This goes back to communication skills. Try to be a thought leader. Think of possible questions they might ask you. Be sure you are considerate and think of good answers pertaining to their questions at the same time. Anyone can pose a question, but when you’re able to answer questions, the team will have more respect for you. In addition it saves tons of time.

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Remember, leaders are risk takers. So don’t be surprised when your “subordinates” judge you according to your decisions. Someone is always going to judge. That’s an essential aspect of leadership. The people you choose to give important tasks and those you decide to promote will all factor into their impression of your leadership abilities. If you aren’t fair or responsible, your business will suffer.

Work on your writing skills. Leadership isn’t all about how you hold yourself and your vision. Writing documents well is also very important. If your writing is poor, you will have a hard time being taken seriously. Remember this and pay special attention to how and what you write. Also, clear writing leads to clear thinking. Practice writing all the time. As a leader, you are expected to be a communicator.

This should go without saying for anyone and everyone, but always foster a love of lifelong learning. Enhance your leadership abilities by continuing to learn new skills. Classes and workshops offer you a way to improve your skills and learn new ones. Techniques that are new will always be coming out and there will be plenty of new things when you’re leading the pack. So just make sure to stay updated about leadership and generally anything new about your industry. You don’t have to be an expert, just be current.

So let’s talk about risks.

There is one question all strong business leaders ask themselves occasionally. Ask yourself, am I comfortable? If you said yes, then YOU ARE PLAYING IT TOO SAFE. Taking risks, pushing the envelope and feeling uncomfortable is a good thing in the business world. Calculated risks can give you a competitive edge. It’s okay to be afraid, but it’s not okay to let that stop you from taking action.

Being a good leader is someone who strives to achieve things that other people won’t touch. A good leader knows that they didn’t get where they are just by playing it safe. A true leader knows that it’s far better to take calculated risks because there are ALWAYS opportunities within risks.

So let your fear motivate you. When there is risk involved, just think of it as a new opportunity, a new challenge. Change is scary, but acquiescing to the fear will only limit you. You have to acknowledge it and find a way to overcome if you really want to improve your leadership skills, and especially if you want to advance your career. However, remember that leadership should go beyond simple consideration of your career. If you really think about, there’s nothing stopping you from being a leader in virtually every aspect of your life. Why is that? Well, humans are social beings. And everywhere, people are always seeking to make life easier by finding a someone, a leader who can really engage them and put their skills to good use.

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So take what you’ve learned to heart, and know that learning is a lifelong adventure. Try surrounding yourself with people who challenge you and who can help you grow. In fact, practice being a better leader today. Use all of the challenges and experiences you’ve encountered throughout your life in order to translate that into becoming the best leader than you can be starting today!

In summary, I hope you found this blog post useful. Please let me know if there’s anything in particular that you’d like to hear more about or that you’d like me to share. Also, if you have a chance to sign up for my newsletter, it means a lot. You can also visit my ‘About Me’ page for your choice of signing up for a daily, weekly, or monthly subscription. Check out the sidebar for my ongoing real life motivational stories to keep you charging ahead throughout the week. I love connecting with readers. That’s what blogging is all about. Thanks a bunch for stopping by.

More to come.

 

Peace,

Daniel 🙂

 

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