Character traits and habits are what actually defines a leader, not the position they hold. This is a quote you might not have heard before, but it’s the inevitable truth. You will undoubtedly agree with us if you have to take your time to sit down and observe the real meaning of being a leader.
Some people think leaders are only those topping a team or managing a department. The truth is that you don’t need to be in a managerial position to be seen as a leader. You can be seen as a leader even when you are part of a team or management. Whichever position you’re in, you need some traits that give you authority and make you a worthy and capable leader. Here are some of those habits.
Give A Listening Ear
Do you remember how valuable you feel when you speak and someone listens to everything you say attentively? That’s how every other person feels when you give them a listening ear. Here we are not talking about just hearing; we mean listening to understand what others are saying. When you do this for your people, it makes them pay attention when you open your mouth to say something since they know you understand all they’ve said, and one good turn deserves another. With this character, you will be able to give the right inference and solution to the table, which means building authority and respect from everyone.
Get A Mentor
All leaders were once followers of notable and eminent people. They have someone great they learn and take inspiration from. These people are called mentors. If you also want to be a good leader, then you need to have someone whose path you will track. The easiest anyone can think of is your boss at work. But in case you don’t want your boss, you can get a mentor for yourself by reaching out and asking them relevant questions, giving them feedback on the result you get, request for more chances to ask more questions and appreciating their works and advice. The relationship can only grow better.
Solve Problems From The Root
When a problem strikes, people dodge it or look for a quick and easy solution to it. This should not be you if you want to be a good leader. Instead, you should fix problems in their entirety by taking full responsibility for the failure, acknowledging it, taking your time to analyse it till you get to the source of the problem and solving it permanently. You can also take a step further to check out other possible problems and fix them. This reduces your flops and makes people see you as the courageous man or woman they can look up to, which makes you a great leader.
Explain, Do Not Blame
The same thing that Mr A said that got him a trophy of victory was what Mr B said that made him lose his job and end up in jail. This happens daily, and it’s called the gravity and weight of our words. The way we express ourselves is often more important than what we’re actually trying to say. This is why you need to structure your words well when you’re trying to address a negative situation. You want to say things explicitly the way they are without trying to pull the blame from your neck but in the quest to solve the problems at hand.
MAKE MEETINGS COUNT / Respect Their Time
People respect, love and obey those who care and respect their personality and time. This is worth holding with your left hand to keep and never forget. Call a meeting when it’s necessary with a reasonable purpose backing it. Make it interactive and inclusive as much as possible, and always deduce inference and plan of action for the result of your meeting. If you are not the one that called the meeting, stay active, listen and research beforehand in discussions you find yourself. Ask relevant questions, put your brilliant idea to the table and participate in the follow-up action.
Lead By Example
Leaders don’t dictate; they show others the right way to do things. Because of this, it becomes easy for people to follow their directives. You should have the characteristics you want in your people and demonstrate them to your team. Motivate them with your courage, hope, belief and efficiency. This way, they’ll find it easy to emulate you and possess those characters you all need as a team to achieve the set aims and objectives.
Share The Story
Yes, people are moved and eager to hear stories of how events occur. Those you’re leading will be interested in hearing a storyline of situations rather than just straight-line orders. So, you can use the advantage of a story to pass messages to them. This shifts your leadership from boring and dictating feelings to more fun and lesson oriented, which makes people want to hear you more. Sharing the story and passion during urgency and achievements is an excellent way to gain the reputation of a good leader that everyone wants to be like.
In conclusion, habits and characters are what makes great leaders of all time. If you want to be one, then you need to inculcate these habits and practice them throughout your life. When you do this, people will regard and respect you as a leader even when you are not in a specific position.
We hope this content has opened your eyes to the nitty-gritty of what you need to become a good leader. You can also check out my previous blogs such as “6 Traits that make people see you as a leader“. Please signup to our newsletter and share the content to help others improve their leadership quality. You can also join our social media page for more updates. We’d like to know your views and comments in the comment section below.
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Solving problems from the root is very important