Introduction
Leadership is a very powerful tool. It is more powerful than we think.
Why do I say so?
Because, as a leader you have a lot of influence on the people you lead. They trust that you will take them somewhere. That you will leave them better than you found them. That you will give them a sense of direction in how to steer their lives.
The people you lead look at you as a solution to their problems. As a leader, you can either prove them right or wrong.
Great leadership is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.
It’s a blend of personal skills, attitude, and a pinch of tried and tested leadership strategies that inspire teams and drive them to get the desired results.
If you’re looking to reinforce or elevate your leadership toolkit, consider these eleven proactive leadership strategies.
With the right leadership strategies, you can enhance your influence and effectiveness and inspire your team or organization to extraordinary levels
This article provides 11 ideas for enhancing your leadership style.
Contents
11 Ideas for Enhancing Your Leadership Style
Let’s delve in.
1. Self-Assessment
Start with self-examination.
Rarely do leaders take a step back to look at and listen to themselves. Leadership is so demanding and outward-looking.
Consequently, as a leader, you could easily forget to realize that you need self-reflection.
Do you know your leadership style?
Did you even know leaders adopt different leadership styles depending on their character?
Leadership is about continuous improvement. Understanding your current leadership style is crucial for identifying areas for improvement.
Tools like 360-degree feedback or personality assessments can offer insights into your strengths and weaknesses. Reflect on your past experiences: what has worked, what hasn’t, and why.
This knowledge serves as a foundation for growth. What worked yesterday, may not necessarily work today.
1. Continuous Learning
Albert Einstein said
“When you STOP learning START dying”….
The brain is like a muscle, it gets stronger when used and you can never stretch it long enough.
Embrace the mindset of a lifelong learner. Keep upgrading your leadership skills and styles.
Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences related to leadership development. Be on the lookout for new leadership innovations and breakthroughs.
Learn from other leaders. Learn also from your team because learning is not discriminatory.
You can learn from anyone and anything, including the most unexpected events or even people.
Don’t let your brain get rusty, keep learning. Reading extensively, from biographies of great leaders to the latest business management books, is also invaluable.
2. Networking
Your network determines your net worth. Grow your leadership skills by networking with other leaders.
Don’t walk the leadership journey alone. Sometimes it can be mountainous, muddy, and murky. You need support to get through.
Find some safe space where you can comfortably reach out to an associate for direction.
Join professional organizations, online communities, or local clubs.
Exchanging ideas and experiences with peers can provide innovative leadership strategies, fresh perspectives, and best practice leadership strategies.
The exchange process in turn enriches you and motivates you to continue with the journey, because at times it can be exhausting.
3. Communication Skills
Leadership is defined as influencing others to work diligently toward achieving their goals. It follows therefore that you need to do these 4 things:
v State your vision clearly.
v Explain your plan for how you will attain your vision.
v Instill confidence and optimism.
v Express confidence in those you lead.
To do these 4 things, i.e., state, explain, instill, and express, implies that you must communicate.
As a leader you have to say it right, so that your team can hear it right, understand it right, and then do it right. If you don’t say it right, then your communication will collapse before take-off.
Effective leaders are also effective communicators. Work on honing your verbal and written communication skills.
Practice active listening, clear articulation of your vision, and open, transparent dialogue with your team.
4. Emotional Intelligence
Human beings are emotional beings.
Emotions influence how, when, and why we act in a certain way.
Developing your emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for leadership.
EI involves self-awareness, self-management, motivation, empathy, and social skills. It is gaining popularity as a key requirement in leadership.
Leaders with high EI can manage their emotions and better understand and influence the emotions of others.
A leader who has no Ei will lack the empathy to listen to others, sense their needs and read their reactions.
Academic Intelligence is not equal to being rational nor is it equal to emotional intelligence.
Recently it has been argued that EI is a critical trait for effective leadership. That even though the leader may have exceptional qualifications, great vision ideas, exceptional leadership tactics and other skills, they will not make a great leader.
5. Delegation
A day has 24 hours. You have no capacity to increase or reduce this duration.
Therefore, prioritize your tasks. Only give your attention to the urgent and important.; important but not urgent and; unimportant and urgent.
The rest of the tasks that are neither important nor urgent don’t deserve your time and attention.
Trust your team by delegating tasks effectively.
This not only empowers your team members but also frees you to focus on strategic leadership responsibilities.
Remember, delegation is not just about assigning tasks; it’s about providing support and opportunities for growth.
6. Mentoring and Coaching
Nothing is permanent. Opportunities and positions are seasonal. Invest time in mentoring and coaching others.
Allow others to benefit from your wealth of experience, knowledge, and skills.
Let them learn from you.
This not only aids in their development but also sharpens your leadership abilities. It provides a platform for practicing patience, communication, and motivation. You will not always be in that organisation as a leader.
While you are there help others grow and tap into your innovative and transformative leadership strategies.
Furthermore, leadership is also about creating other leaders.
7. Adaptability
The only constant in life is change. Nothing remains the same.
Not even people, places, and situations.
It is naive to imagine that things will always remain the same.
As a leader be prepared to adapt your leadership style to different situations and individuals.
Being rigid and failing to adjust to varying circumstances will not only bruise you but dent your leadership.
Humans can be flexible. All it takes is to talk yourself into it and change your mind set about a situation or an individual.
Flexibility is key to navigating the complexities of managing diverse teams and changing business landscapes.
8. Vision Development
One of the critical components of leadership is vision creation.
The vision enables a leader to see the end from the beginning. A leader without a vision will struggle to inspire others.
Work on developing a clear and compelling vision for your team or organization.
Your vision should excite and motivate others to work towards common goals.
It should be regarded as the basis for actions and decision making in the organization.
A great vision should big enough to scare you but attractive enough to spark enthusiasm to achieve it.
If it does not scare you, then it’s probably not worth it.
9. Feedback Culture
Giving and receiving feedback may not be as easy as it sounds.
If not well handled, giving negative feedback can be peppery and fail to meet its intended objective.
Foster a culture where feedback is valued and encouraged.
Create an environment where team members feel free enough to give and receive feedback. Lead by example through praising in public and criticizing in private.
Do not however overdo one at the expense of the other. Regularly seek and provide constructive feedback.
This not only helps you adjust your leadership approach but also builds trust within your team.
10. Personal Well-being
Lastly, don’t neglect your personal well-being. It’s so easy to make sacrifices and forget about yourself.
Don’t underestimate the power of rejuvenation. To remain sharp, you need to be healthy.
A healthy leader is more effective and can handle the pressures of leadership better. You deserve to rest, reflect, and recharge.
Do not feel guilty when you take some time off just to take care of yourself or the things and people who matter to you.
Invest in your physical health, mental health, and work-life balance.
Conclusion
Incorporating these ten ideas into your leadership development plan will enhance your leadership style and effectiveness.
Remember, the journey to becoming a better leader is ongoing, and every step forward benefits not just you, but your entire team.
Have you tried any of these strategies?
Share your experiences or other ideas in the comments below.
Your feedback is important to us.
Hope you enjoyed reading it!
