7 Things You Need to Know to Improve Your Leadership Style

 

Many of us aspire to great leadership. But how do we recognize what great leadership even looks like? What are the attributes that make leaders great?

Here’s one of the most important: Highly effective leaders don’t rely on what they know but constantly work to improve who they are and what they do. Success usually lies between who you are and who you want to be, what you want to do and where you want to go.

Here are seven other attributes that great leaders tend to share. Think about which you should be incorporating into your own leadership—and remember that when success is within your reach, you still have to stretch to get to it.

1. They know how to forecast

You’d think that most leaders would spend their time thinking of what needs to get done today, but truly great leaders are visionaries who spend significant time forecasting the future. Truly great leaders look ahead. They see things not through the lens of current realities but in light of future possibilities. They know that present circumstances don’t determine how far they can go, only where they need to start.

2. They know how to formulate

Effective leaders can take a vision and formulate it into a well-organized plan that others can manage and follow. They know where they want to take others, and the plan articulates how they’ll get there. The best leaders keep in mind the importance of translating their vision into a reality.

3. They know how to present

Successful leaders are able to communicate and demonstrate a plan for action. They know how to get the right people in the right roles to get the job done well. They’re great at communicating complex problems in simple terms that people can understand. They’re able to share information in a way that people get it. For truly great leaders, communication must be HOT: Honest, Open and Two-way.

4. They know how to trust

Even the most talented, skilled leaders know that they cannot accomplish everything on their own, and they know how to trust others to get the job done. Confidence in your people is crucial; it allows you to focus on the things that only you can do, without feeling the need to micromanage others. Truly great leaders know this and because they trust their people, their people in turn trust them.

5. They know how to manage

A successful leader is someone who can not only lead but also manage. They know how to manage themselves before managing When they set goals for others—when they decide what work needs to be done and how to facilitate those goals so they get done—they are setting an example of effective management themselves by focusing on others to get things done.

6. They know how to expedite

Truly great leaders know how to facilitate and promote and stimulate their people by making what needs to happen a priority. They’re good at following through on plans and making sure everyone knows their role, serving as a catalyst and allowing their team to work together to get things done.

7. They know how to motivate

The best leaders are able to inspire and motivate people into taking action. They have the charisma and the character that inspire others to follow them. They’re able to lead by example, because they refuse to ask others to do what they cannot do for themselves. In setting a strong example, they motivate their people to do the same.

Lead from Within: The best leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.

 


N A T I O N A L   B E S T S E L L E R

The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

 

 


Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.

  1. Dave Hodge

    20. Feb, 2017

    Great stuff Lolly – and much appreciated. I have a disagreement (of a sort) with your last point (#7) and motivation: “They’re able to lead by example, because they refuse to ask others to do what they can do for themselves.”

    I always believed that I shouldn’t ask others to do anything I COULDN’T do myself.

    I routinely delegate duties, directing folks on my team to do things that I could have easily taken care of. But to create a training opportunity, or maybe manage my time better, or even just to balance the workload of the team, I hold back the impulse to just do it myself. I’m not talking about petty tasks, or simple jobs – but REAL work that offers growth and confidence to the members of a team. This delegation also helps out with the other points 4 through 6, and sometimes buys me a little time for #s 1-3.

    I believe in everything you’ve stated in point 7, but I don’t tie ‘leadership by example’ to only working hard. Leadership by example sets the standard for everyone around you (below or above), and in all respects – attitude, character, ethics, etc.

    Thanks for a great article!

    v/r, duna

    See more at: http://www.lollydaskal.com/leadership/7-things-need-know-improve-leadership-style/#sthash.msTtFGLD.dpuf

    Reply to this comment
    • lollydaskal

      16. Mar, 2017

      YOU are so right. There was a typo. I always believed that I shouldn’t ask others to do anything I COULDN’T do myself. You are correct.

      Reply to this comment
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