As a leader, you must understand that your success is tied to the success of those under your leadership.
Good Leadership is About Putting Others First
One of the most interesting things about leadership is that each leader is unique when it comes to their style of leadership and what they bring to the table. However, in the midst of all that uniqueness, there are certain qualities that should be uniform. For instance, every good leader must have integrity, they should be able to communicate well, and they must be able to positively influence those under their leadership.
When you look at all these qualities of a good leader, you will notice that they don’t have much to do with the leader, but those they are leading. A leader who puts others first cultivates a motivating, uplifting and inspiring environment that boosts the confidence of their team. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to become best friends with everyone on your team. Putting the needs of others first just enables you to ensure that all your team members have the resources they need to carry out their tasks effectively.
You must also remember to give appreciation. This enhances your team members’ self-esteem and creates a connection that encourages even more collaborative relationships.
A Good Leader is a Great Listener and Motivator
As a leader, you must understand that your success is tied to the success of those under your leadership. This is why you shouldn’t focus too much on your needs. All you will achieve by focusing on yourself is limiting your influence. Instead, most of your time should be spent listening to others and motivating your team members. Focusing on others in this manner is just good business sense.
While some leaders believe that the success of those they lead is a threat to their position, the opposite is true. When you focus on helping others succeed, you create new opportunities for them to grow. This will help them improve their skills and become stronger contributors to the team. As a result, your entire team will be better able to meet its responsibilities, putting you in a better position to achieve your goals.
A Good Leader Should Take Time to Understand Their People
Every good leader must strive to create an open line of communication with their team members. This will enable them to achieve two things. Firstly, they will be able to influence ethical and honest behavior. Apart from that, they will also be able to fully understand their team members so they can customize their interactions and communication styles to suit each individual.
This means that as a leader, you must take time to figure out which communication mode is preferred by each individual on your team. For instance, some members prefer face-to-face communication, while others prefer email. By practicing this, you will become a leader who is authentically interested in people, and your leadership won’t just be about you and what you want.
By looking at the qualities of good leaders, you will quickly find out that as a leader, leadership is not about you and what you want. Instead, it is about serving others, caring for their needs, motivating them, coaching them and empowering them to become the best versions of themselves. This is a winning strategy because there is no way you can become a great leader if the people you are leading are not reaching their maximum potential. It’s only when they start winning that your goals as a leader will be achieved! QCBN
By Jamaal McCoy
Jamaal McCoy is the general manager of Findlay Auto Group Prescott. He can be reached at 928-443-8300 or jmccoy@findlayauto.com.
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