Quality Leadership: Own the best team at work
“Mr. Vice president, I am speaking” — Kamala Harris
When I heard Harris saying these words at the 2020 US vice-presidential debate, I loved the confidence and smile she wore while saying it. She not only cleared the space that Vice president Pence was invading during her time of talk but also firmly pointed out her presence.
Her persuasive sense of communication and determination while engaging the crowd. was absolutely admirable. This is what I believe makes her a strong candidate for a leader of the United States. Now that, she made her way up to the presidential office, there is no denying that fact.
Similarly, we also have several such people playing the role of leaders in daily life. Be it at work or with friends. For me, anyone who can inspire a group of people to perform a task passionately can be termed as a leader.
However, there is a wide difference between a leader and a boss. A Boss manages people but a leader influences the team to think out of the box. A good leader will appreciate other’s success and will inspire you to achieve even bigger.
A great leader is ambitious and they share it with the team. They make the team believe in the goal and be an enthusiast to achieve it. They promote sustainable solutions over short term quick fixes.
No matter how you define a leader, it cannot be ignored that some people have a strong impact on others’ lives through their work. Some people make it look effortless to drive a team to success but not everyone has those qualities.
So, what makes people a good leader and how do they inspire a team so passionately.
Top leadership qualities that are worth to be earned
Vision:
A good leader shares this vision with their team to make the team understand the expectations at the end. They have a mission and desire to run the team with all energy and willingness.
Great leaders set future goals for the team. They plan and make decisions for long term perspective progress. This helps the team to realize the project target and creates a chase to achieve milestones within the timeframe.
Furthermore, targets help the team to follow the work process and motivate themselves to understand the end goal. Setting project objectives creates a drive to achieve milestones with enthusiasm
Communication
Communication is the true essence of leadership. Being able to confidently express oneself displays confidence in a leader. No matter how amazing qualities you have, if you are not able to boldly engage with people around you, it is difficult to be a good leader.
Talking effectively to build empathy is a crucial quality of good leadership. Communication is a solid bridge that holds a team together and it includes both speaking and listening.
To be heard you need to passionately listen to others as well. Everyone likes to be heard in a group. Listening to your team demonstrates care and faith in them. Lack of eye contact or showing no interest in personal lives will make your team stop sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Mastering good communication skills improve team interaction and allow members to share their ideas. Remember, a true leader does not command orders rather inspires and encourages to perform the best.
Positive attitude
Leaders are optimistic.
They see progress on small scale and appreciate every good inch they have achieved. They practice and implement long term strategies over short term justifications.
Good leaders can find possibilities and opportunities in every experience. They see failures as lessons learned rather than mistakes. They naturally inspire their surroundings and their team as they are highly motivated to accomplish the end goal.
A positive attitude is required for a successful mindset at work to drive towards the project target. It helps the team to be productive and also think efficiently to progress. It is hard to lead a team to success if you are not motivated to accomplish the objective.
Responsibility
Acceptance of responsibility is a clear definition of the confidence of a good leader.
Leaders never complain over a duty, they rather own the responsibility and cooperate with others to complete the task with the utmost result. They do not engage in criticizing or pointing fingers at others.
A responsible leader will apologize for mistakes and will respect and appreciate other’s time. They highlight the work and contribution of the team rather than self-promotion. A good leader will both learn and teach together to improve team dynamics.
Lastly, leaders also have a responsibility towards the integrity of the work. They practice and implement honesty in their work even when no one is watching. They set examples of an ethical job for the team. A dishonest leader will nurture an unprofessional and unfair team.
Habits to improve leadership:
- Frequently communicate with your team regarding work and off work topics. Make them feel comfortable to approach when needed.
- Listen when your team explains a concern or provides feedback about the workflow. This encourages them to be more interactive and helps you realize improvement points.
- Prepare milestones for your project and remind the team to keep track.
- Ensure your team is motivated with the right spirit to work in coordination
- Appreciate team effort and highlight small successes of the group.
- Make an effort to improve the skills and performance of your team. Provide space for the team to outshine and grow.
Conclusion
Although leadership cannot be learned in a course, it is something that can be gained over time and experience. Good leadership can make a team achieve the best in the worst scenario.
Leaders set a vision and goals for people to motivate towards the common goal. However, to gain the trust and respect of people you have to take the actions and responsibilities of a leader.
What are your opinions on leadership qualities?
