8 Ways to Become a Better Leader
As the debate continues over whether a leader is born or made, the definition of a leader remains a certainty: they are unique individuals with vision and possess exceptional drive to achieve their goals.
But perhaps the most important trait of leadership in business is being able to inspire your staff; whether by action or example. We sum up 8 ways you can become a better leader that will be invaluable in guiding your company to success.
1. Know your leadership style.
Becoming a better leader starts with knowing your leadership style. There are generally three styles: the authoritarian (as the boss you dictate everything), the participative (a more democratic style where employees offer input) and the delegative (where decision-making is left mostly in the hands of your staff).
By knowing which is your preferred leadership style, it allows you to identify and strengthen qualities that will help put you on the right track to becoming a more effective leader.
2. Tailor the way you manage staff.
Just as it is important to know what leadership style works for you, understanding which management style suits your staff is also crucial. While it can be daunting switching techniques from one employee to the next, paying attention to what motivates each person makes it simpler for you to bring out the best in them.
3. Encourage employee creativity.
Regardless of the nature of the job, employees need intellectual stimulation to stay motivated. Challenge your staff by giving them different goals to achieve and provide opportunities for them to express their creativity. By setting goals that are within their grasp, it helps build confidence and stretch their limits.
4. Accept mistakes as a way to learn.
Making mistakes comes part and parcel with encouraging your employees to think out of the box. Although as a business owner, it is natural to want to minimise mistakes, do not be controlling to the point where your workers become fearful of making errors. Instead, trust them and give them a fair margin of error to learn from their mistakes. After all, experience makes the best teacher.
5. Serve as a role model.
A good leader doesn’t just talk the talk, he or she also walks the walk. If you want your employees to exhibit certain qualities or behaviours, begin by displaying these traits yourself. Practicing what you preach makes your staff more likely to emulate your behaviour, but more importantly, they will admire you more for it.
6. Keep an open door policy.
Good communication forms the basis of any good relationship. Letting your employees know you’re always ready to address their concerns not only gives you time to handle these issues before they affect the work environment, it also sends the message to your staff that you value their feedback and are committed to creating a harmonious workplace for them to excel in.
7. Learn from the best.
Good leaders never stop learning. They will take every opportunity to learn from the best in their business. The annual Canon Think Big Entrepreneur Convention presents such an opportunity for them to do so.
Presented by Canon Singapore, the event brings together renowned business leaders as they share their personal stories and tips on running a business. Participants also get to view Canon’s latest business solutions and learn how they play a vital role in the success of a company. Stay tuned for details of the next Think Big Entrepreneur Convention.
8. Respect employees and treat them equally.
Practicing favouritism is a sure way to turn your staff against you. While it is important to reward and give recognition to workers that have done well, be sure not to alienate the rest in the process. Remember that when your workers are happy, they pass this kindness on to your customers, and this will get them to return.
Empowering your staff makes up a key aspect of being a good leader. This is no surprise as including them in the business decision process not only shows you value their judgement but also makes them responsible for their decisions – both their successes and their mistakes.