I’ve been in leadership positions since my third year out of college. Boy did I make a lot of mistakes back then. I didn’t realize then that leadership is really all about people, it has nothing to do with your title. If you want to be a true leader, you must inspire your team to follow you, and they’ll possibly even exceed what you expected. Here are some characteristics which can help you be a strong leader.
1. Value Relationships and Build a Network of Support
A true leader focuses on people, not power. You can’t lead people unless you value every person on your team and understand them. Understand what makes them tick, and what motivates them to come to work every day. And know that behind every title there is a human being behind that job. Get to know them! The more you open up share a bit of yourself, and let them do the same, the stronger your working relationship will be and the greater the chance that these employees will want to follow your leadership. A true leader is never too busy to connect and maintain a solid relationship with others.
2. Praise in Public and Say ‘Thank You’ Often
I probably say “Thanks” and “Thank You” more than any other words during the working day. I once used to sign all of my emails with “Thanks”. These are simple words that cost you nothing yet they have the power to motivate and inspire your employees and make them feel good for working hard. Give your employees the credit, and let them shine in public. More importantly, when you say thanks, it shows you truly are grateful and makes you more of a human being. This will help to make your employees work hard for their strong leader and do great work for the company.
In addition, expand your appreciation to those beyond your immediate team. Say thanks and show your appreciation often to vendors, partners, customers, and others you interact with.
3. Listen. A lot.
Sometimes confident leaders think they know more than they actually do and they do more directing and telling than actually listening and learning. Strong leaders listen to their employees, their bosses, their vendors, even their competitors, before forming an opinion. One caution is to develop healthy working relationships based on trust so that people will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. That way, when they tell you something, you’ll not only hear it and listen but will know they told you with the best of intentions.
4. Be a Person of Values
Be loyal to your employees. A lack of loyalty, honesty, or ethics is a fatal flaw. No one will want to follow a leader who isn’t loyal or honest. Remember, it’s not the size of your office which makes you a strong leader — your values and character make you a strong leader (and human being). Too many times in my career I have seen people steal other people’s ideas as their own, take credit for things they didn’t really do, fudge their timesheet or expense report, not tell the entire truth to a valued client, or talk poorly behind someone’s back in order to get ahead. These traits never work for long, and you’ll eventually be seen as someone that is unethical. Act ethically and you’ll be able to sleep better at night knowing you acted with the utmost integrity and professionalism at work.