1. LEAD BY
EXAMPLE.
Leaders need to show, not just tell. If you want
your employees to be punctual, make sure you’re there on time -- or even early.
If professionalism is a priority, make sure you’re dressed for success, and
treat everyone you interact with (both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set
the tone and your employees will follow it.
2. A LITTLE
HUMILITY GOES A LONG WAY.
There’s a difference between a leader and a boss.
While both are in charge, a leader shares the spotlight and is comfortable
crediting others. While it might seem counterintuitive, being humble takes more
confidence than basking in glory. Your employees will appreciate it, and your
clients will, too.
3.
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY.
Effective communication is imperative, both in the
office and in life. Great leaders make sure they are heard and understood, but
they also know the importance of listening. Communication is a two-way street,
and making the most of it will have your company zooming forward instead of
pumping the breaks.
4. KEEP
MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE.
As the saying goes, time is money. So, of course,
you should want to limit tangents and other time wasters during meetings. If
you trust your team to do their job, there should be no need for micromanaging,
and meetings can run swiftly.
5. KNOW YOUR
LIMITS.
Even the kindest, most caring leader has limits.
Set your boundaries and stick to them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can
save everyone in the office a lot of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear
means there’s no confusion.
6. FIND A
MENTOR.
No man is an island, as they say. The best leaders
out there know when they need help, and they know where to turn to in order to
get it. Nobody can know everything, so finding someone you trust for advice
when things get tough can make all of the difference.
7. BE
EMOTIONALLY AWARE.
While many people advise keeping emotions separate
from matters of business, business is ultimately about relationships between
people. To make these relationships last, you need to be emotionally
intelligent -- to be sensitive to different points of view and different
backgrounds. When using your head to do what’s best for your company, don’t
forget to have a heart.
8. WATCH OUT
FOR (AND AVOID) COMMON PITFALLS OF LEADERSHIP.
Everyone makes mistakes, but some of them are
avoidable. Being aware of common mistakes, while not focusing on them to the
point that they become self-fulfilling prophecies, can be the first step toward
not repeating them.
9. LEARN FROM
THE PAST.
To once again quote an adage, those who don’t learn
from the past are doomed to repeat it. History, recent and otherwise, is filled
with examples of successful business models and spectacular business failures.
Think about what the people you admire do well, and consider what went wrong
for those who end their careers mired in scandal or disgrace. Lessons can be
found everywhere.
10. NEVER
STOP IMPROVING.
Great leaders -- indeed, great people -- are constantly
learning and always trying to improve themselves. There’s always something that
you can work on or a new skill to master. Be sure to keep your mind open to new
ideas and possibilities.
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