Four Tips For Effective Leaders - Tough Times Demand Effective Leadership Approaches
Leadership is a challenge anytime, but in the tough times it becomes even more challenging to lead effectively.
There are four specific action steps that can help you become a more effective leader.
These are simple but powerful strategies that can revolutionize your leadership effectiveness! 1.
Get to know the people in your organization; build relationships based on trust This takes some time and effort, but in today's high tech fast paced society, work may the only place some folks get much recognition.
Make it a priority to know your people.
Trust is the key to solid relationships whether in the family or at work.
That simply means that honesty and integrity are essential to building trust.
Often times it is just as simple as doing what you say you will do.
For example, if you promise to get back to someone on an open issue, then do it when you say you will.
2.
Define Expectations for each person, clearly communicate and follow-up One of the leading causes of frustration and poor performance is unclear expectations.
It is the responsibility of the leader to clearly identify, define and communicate the basic work expectations.
If you haven't done it or it's been a while DO IT NOW.
Take out a sheet of paper, write the names of your employees in one column and then write your expectations for each one.
Now, the hard part.
Sit down with each one face to face and go over the expectations.
It works, but it is work to do it.
3.
Be consistent and persistent in learning and applying leadership skills.
Leaders should set the example in learning and applying skills.
Do you have a personal development plan for the year? If not, create one now and follow-up.
What skills do you need to develop this year? Do you need to learn active listening, how to talk with employees one-on-one, how to develop the strategies for the organization? You get the idea.
Again, it's up to you, just do it.
4.
Lead People and manage things! Leadership is about people and management is about processes, procedures, resources and tasks.
Too often we confuse these and try to manage people.
Here are some ways to lead more effectively: focus on the vision and strategies for the organization; take effective corrective action when problems occur; demonstrate that quality, safety and environmental issues are important in your decision making; insure that adequate training is being provided and evaluate performance of each person in the organization.
There are four specific action steps that can help you become a more effective leader.
These are simple but powerful strategies that can revolutionize your leadership effectiveness! 1.
Get to know the people in your organization; build relationships based on trust This takes some time and effort, but in today's high tech fast paced society, work may the only place some folks get much recognition.
Make it a priority to know your people.
Trust is the key to solid relationships whether in the family or at work.
That simply means that honesty and integrity are essential to building trust.
Often times it is just as simple as doing what you say you will do.
For example, if you promise to get back to someone on an open issue, then do it when you say you will.
2.
Define Expectations for each person, clearly communicate and follow-up One of the leading causes of frustration and poor performance is unclear expectations.
It is the responsibility of the leader to clearly identify, define and communicate the basic work expectations.
If you haven't done it or it's been a while DO IT NOW.
Take out a sheet of paper, write the names of your employees in one column and then write your expectations for each one.
Now, the hard part.
Sit down with each one face to face and go over the expectations.
It works, but it is work to do it.
3.
Be consistent and persistent in learning and applying leadership skills.
Leaders should set the example in learning and applying skills.
Do you have a personal development plan for the year? If not, create one now and follow-up.
What skills do you need to develop this year? Do you need to learn active listening, how to talk with employees one-on-one, how to develop the strategies for the organization? You get the idea.
Again, it's up to you, just do it.
4.
Lead People and manage things! Leadership is about people and management is about processes, procedures, resources and tasks.
Too often we confuse these and try to manage people.
Here are some ways to lead more effectively: focus on the vision and strategies for the organization; take effective corrective action when problems occur; demonstrate that quality, safety and environmental issues are important in your decision making; insure that adequate training is being provided and evaluate performance of each person in the organization.
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