How To Improve Leadership Quality 15 Steps With Pictures

Perhaps you are someone who leads by example, and doesn’t get too involved in other people’s work. Or maybe you are a leader who helps to solve problems, and takes a more active and interventionist role. Being a good team player and helping other people get along and work together more effectively is another way of being a leader. [1] X Research source You can even use online leadership quizzes to evaluate your leadership skills. [2] X Research source

You can also ask a trusted friend or colleague for her perception of your leadership qualities. You can ask a more senior colleague, who is familiar with you and your work, for some feedback and guidance on management and leadership.

Do I make an effort to be aware of the thoughts and feelings of colleagues? Do I help others perform to their best and reach their potential? Do I accept responsibility? Do I keep an open mind and try new ideas and new ways of doing things? Can I communicate effectively with others? Am I a good problem solver? Do I encourage and accept other opinions and perspectives?[4] X Research source

For example, if you are aware of the thoughts and feelings of colleagues, and you accept other people’s opinions, your openness and engagement with colleague is likely to be strong. If you don’t help others perform to their best, and you don’t communicate as effectively as you would like, these skills will need some work. These leadership qualities can be broken down into the more general areas of communication, inspiring and setting an example for others, openness, and teamwork and cooperation. [5] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

Ask and encourage open questions, rather than constrictive ones. Highlight areas of agreement first, and deal with the disagreements second. Don’t be overbearing, and facilitate an open environment where people are free to talk without fear. [6] X Research source

To have positive and affirmative body language while talking, try to maintain eye contact, stand tall and straight, and relax your face. [7] X Research source Your body language may be interpreted as how you are really feeling, so try to have body language that reflects the qualities and approach of a good leader. [8] X Research source

Don’t judge people. Pay complete attention to the person you are talking to. Try to understand others, before you try make yourself understood. Don’t interrupt unnecessarily. [9] X Trustworthy Source US Department of State Official website of the U. S. Department of State Go to source

Using your initiative demonstrates a positive and “can do” attitude. [10] X Research source Make sure you are confident in your actions, however. Act calmly and assuredly, and don’t ty to rush to a solution when the problem requires consultation. Another aspect of good leadership is knowing when to take advice, and understanding when a problem needs a deeper understanding before it can be addressed.

Support your team members to complete their tasks and try to forge a cooperative rather than a competitive environment and culture. [12] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source Taking responsibility can also involve removing responsibilities from those who have demonstrated that they are unable to manage the tasks assigned.

Organise and write down a clear set of standards for yourself personally, and then try to always stick to them. Try to monitor your work, and identify the areas which you can improve on. You can use these personal standards to draw up a personal development plan.

Seeing the bigger picture can help you envisage problems before they arrive. This kind of approach can also lead to innovation and structural changes that have long term benefits. [14] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

You shouldn’t be the last person to find out if someone has concerns or is struggling. Be active and communicative to identify problems and deal with them. This may involve tweaking your team or the distribution of work. For example, if someone is losing interest as the work is not challenging her, think of ways you can get her to engage with her tasks. You could explain how this work, although a bit boring, is essential to the overall project. Say something like “I know this is a bit monotonous, but without this the whole thing falls apart. I assigned it to you because you have great attention to detail. ”

With more junior members of staff, always be on the lookout for career development opportunities. A positive and cooperative working culture where people’s hard work is respected and appreciated will result in a more motivated group.

Any battles that arise in a competitive culture cost valuable time and resources to deal with. You are better off creating common goals that you can achieve together. [16] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source Creating a cooperative environment will encourage collaboration and help avoid silo working.

You can make yourself visible and available in a number of ways. For example, you might schedule in a short period each day where you are free to listen to any concerns. You could do this formally, or just set aside half an hour in which you can go around the team and check how everybody is getting on. If someone asks you something and you don’t have time to deal with it right away, don’t dismiss it outright. Schedule a time later when you are free to talk.