You must have heard “born leader”. This statement implies that leadership is natural and cannot be learnt. However, this is not entirely accurate. Innate traits include charisma, humility, and humour.
Only one third of leadership traits are inherited, according to studies. Effective communication, goal setting, and strategic thinking may be learnt.
Leadership requires the following five attributes in personal and professional life to inspire action and provide a path for success.
Self-aware and committed to personal growth
Set daily goals and own their achievement.
Be wise with your time and attention.
Define your personal and professional boundaries.
Employees will follow your guidance. If you work long hours and strive hard for your goals, others will assume they must too and respond accordingly.
Consider that your abilities, weaknesses, and personal beliefs may prejudice your decision-making. Practice strategic decision-making by sticking to the aim.
Regularly assess yourself and solicit employee input.
Successful Leaders Develop Others
Team up with diverse skills and expertise. Allow team members to trust each other.
Coach with empathy and authority.
Delegating responsibilities is hard, but the only way to see your team's potential. Share your duties with your team. This will build team trust.
Make training and development a priority in your organisation and make sure team members understand they are unique growth opportunities.
Successful leaders foster strategic thinking, innovation, and action.
Flexible thinking is required. Goals and roadmaps can change regularly, and outside events may demand resetting all plans. All of this requires preparation.
Your company's industry must interest you. Without passion, neither you nor your staff will succeed.
Your passion and willingness will strengthen your team. Disinterested or reckless behaviour hurts employees.
Give your team brainstorming time. Promote creativity and innovation.
Setting quantifiable, realistic goals is crucial.
All these procedures may require leaders to make dangerous decisions. In such situations, agility and strategy are needed.
Successful Leaders Follow Ethics
Not abusing power and authority. The best policy is honesty. Leaders should communicate openly with staff.
Understand your employees' feelings. Recognise and support successful and struggling employees.
Own your faults and expect your staff to do so. Make sure your employees understand that mistakes are lessons on the path to success.
Successful Leaders Communicate Cross-Culturally
Briefly explain your company's mission, goals, and culture to employees.
If your staff don't know your expectations and can't satisfy them, you're responsible. You should state these expectations upfront.
Be aware of subtleties while calling or emailing someone.
Your staff may have diverse cultures and communication methods. Recognise and respect.
The foundation of communication is listening. Even listening well motivates and values employees.