How can we be better leaders?
As leaders we motivate people towards a goal. We build momentum amongst people to believe and follow a vision. Leaders are often regarded as role models. Most effective managers in organizations exhibit traits of leaders by empowering their team members to perform through key characteristics inherent in their own being. So what are these traits and what can we do to become better leaders?
Learn to believe
The core essence of a great leader is their unrelenting belief in what they can achieve and their vision of their best self. In the late 50’s a young girl was raised on a farm in rural Mississippi with her grandmother. One day as she sat on the back porch looking at her grandmother boil cloves in a giant iron pot (there were no washing machines so this was a practice to clean clothes) she couldn’t help but think about her life. She knew that she would have a life that was different, she would make it better. She truly believed that she could change her fate. At the time she didn’t know what that would look like but she believed it would happen. This woman is none other than Oprah Winfrey, one of the greatest leaders of all time with an unparalleled ability to execute on her vision, inspire her team and draw in a massive global audience.
To put it in her own words —
“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.” ― Oprah Winfrey
Setting a strong belief system requires you to sit down and note down what you wish to achieve in your life and then creating an actionable plan to get there. Spend time with leaders you admire, whether that be in person, by following their blog, or reading their thoughts on Twitter. Know what you want to stand for and how you want to be known. Be authentically you. Believe that you have the skills to execute your mission. Believe in your team. Leaders cannot do everything themselves nor do they necessarily know how to. Delegating effectively is at the core of executing meaningful results. There will always be good days and bad days but an unrelenting belief in your vision, your team and the plan you are going to execute will always yield the results you are looking for.
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” — Steve Jobs
Be more empathetic
Ultimately we are all human and sometimes the notion of a leader can be a powerful figure perched somewhere in a corner office. If we really want to bring out the best in our team we have to be approachable and relatable to our people. Leaders are always in charge of generating a desired result but at the end of the day, leaders should pause to understand the emotions of their team. This helps build trust. As leaders we have to put others before ourselves and bring out the best in them. So then how can we do this if we don’t take the time to have a coffee with them, wish them well if they get sick, or ask them how their weekend was. Show them you care. It goes a long way to build their trust and belief in you.
Display Vulnerability
Vulnerability is exposing ourselves to uncertainty. We are not always primed to be our best most effective self when we put ourselves out there. We will be criticized and our weakness will often be on display but that is okay. Some of the most influential people are constantly being vulnerable — writing a post on the internet, sharing a picture, expressing an opinion — it is all subject to commentary, which may sometimes not make us feel so good. Leaders are held to high expectations, they are scrutinized and it can sometimes feel tough but it is a part of the role. Being a leader is not meant to be easy. As a leader you may not always know the answer, maybe you ask your team for help. It’s the right thing to do. Vulnerability is a sign of strength and by putting your thoughts out there, taking in the critical feedback, it only makes you stronger and more relatable. Share the stories from the trenches. Talk about what makes you, you, no matter how hard it is. It makes your story authentic. It births creativity, camaraderie and admiration. It dispels the myth about overnight success stories. That is empowering for your followers as they go on to become leaders one day. Leaders generally come a long way to achieve their positions both in their personal and professional development.
So the next time you hesitate to make a bold move, speak at an event or take on a new project — remember to believe, show empathy and be vulnerable. It will push you to achieve your full potential as a leader.
