Although one may be born with leadership tendencies and longings, he/she may not effectively lead unless he/she masters the art of leadership through conscious self-development and the acquisition of outstanding leadership skills. This simply means that there is room for every leader to learn and improve his/her skills daily. This article provides how every leader can develop and improve upon their leadership skills.
Become a Follower
As much as this sounds unusual, it is the very first leadership skill that must be acquired. No one can successfully lead if he/she is not a follower. Being a follower allows the leader to learn from the wealth of experience of others and apply the knowledge gained in his/her leadership role. It also affords the leader the opportunity to share the feelings of the followers. He knows the problems and challenges of the followers firsthand. It follows that your leadership will be defined by your ability to follow others. Even as you lead, you must recognize that you are not the lead in every sphere. There also exist leaders in other settings or spheres. You should look and learn from them.
Be a team player.
Teamwork is the secret of success in various fields of human endeavors ranging from engineering to medicine. Since no one is a reservoir of all knowledge, there is a great interdependence among people. You must realize that like in other areas of human endeavour, good and enduring leadership rests on the shoulders of a team. No leader can succeed without the input of a team. It takes the collective efforts of every team member for the leader to be successful. If you are not a team player, you will find it difficult to appreciate the benefits of teamwork and your leadership potential will not blossom.
Be Proactive
A leader sees a problem and asks for a solution whereas others only see and make complaints. As a leader, the “it-can-be-done” spirit must take possession of you. You must not always wait for people to identify problems and compel you to solve them. Your move or initiative may not be the best but it says so much about you and your leadership ability. Do not sit back, expecting others to always do things right. When things are not done right, arise and lend your voice. Always make your impact felt wherever you find yourself. This is what proactivity means. Be responsible enough to take action without external pressure.
Be Hospitable
A leader must literarily have enough room for everyone. This implies that a leader must develop the habit of accommodating every team member irrespective of any differences. Additionally, the ability to manage and resolve conflicts is quintessential in leadership. This is because disagreement will arise as a result of the fact formerly distinct entities are coming together in pursuit of a common. Such disagreement may threaten the possibility of achieving the group’s goal. But a leader recognizes these differences. He learns to accommodate them and utilize them for the benefit of all. It takes a great deal of bravery to do this without compromising your integrity. Your bravery will enable you to know when to squarely confront someone and reprimand him/her for allowing their differences with others to hinder the common good. Your bravery will also help you bring warring factions together for the good of all.
Maximize self-development.
Leaders who underestimate the need to develop themselves often become irrelevant and redundant. You cannot be a leader, an exceptional one at that, without constantly learning, unlearning, and re-learning. To keep pace with the changing human society, anyone who wants to be an effective leader must grow in the same way. Self-development is possible through the reading of books, attendance at seminars and conferences, having dates with leaders who can mentor you, maximizing leadership resources on the Internet, and so on. All of these will sharpen your leadership skills.
Have a Positive Mindset toward Challenges
To become a good leader, you must learn to see challenges as normal. You have to imbibe the virtue of courage and never bow out in the face of daunting challenges. Leaders are known for being keen on challenges. While followers are often overwhelmed by challenges, leaders not only embrace them but also look for them. Your ability to solve problems makes you a leader. Whenever you identify and surmount challenges, you boost your confidence, and your leadership skills are sharpened.
Watch your Circle
Your circle translates to people you keep as friends.
This company of friends and associates matters a lot. Although there is a need to be accommodative and social, not everyone should be incorporated into your circle of friends because you are influenced by your friends as much as they are influenced by you. You need the right company for emotional support. You need to be listened to in your downtimes. Your leadership skills may begin to get blunt if you don’t have the kind of company that can provide such emotional support when you are distressed.
Prioritize Self-Dosciple.
Leadership can only thrive where you exercise uncommon self-discipline. Your ability to stick to your plans, convictions, and ideologies when no one is watching is necessary for you to excel as a leader. Self-discipline is one of the greatest needs of every leader and adherence to standards is a very viable way of developing a perfect leadership skill. Without personal discipline, your vision and goals will never be achieved. Self-discipline is the motivating force that drives you off your comfort zone to achieve your set goals. Self-discipline will prevent you from giving up despite any form of discouragement.
