Leadership is the capacity to guide an individual or a group of individuals to achieve a goal on behalf of an organization or a person.
Definition of a Good Leader:
A good leader is someone who has a clear vision of the future and is not hesitant to seek assistance from those who are more qualified. And he or she will do nothing worse in accomplishing the goal and allowing his or her ego to triumph.
Types of Leadership:
It may appear that one leadership style is preferable to another. However, each form of leadership has its own characteristics. Every good leader knows how to shift from one leadership style to another depending on the situation.
Some leadership styles are:
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Autocratic/ Dictatorship:
If I follow the Autocratic-style then, I will act as if I am the smartest person alive and that I am better than everyone else in the room. So I’m going to give an order to everyone to obey whatever I say and do all I say. And I’m not going to answer any questions.
This kind of leadership was effective in the past, but it is no longer effective in today’s managerial environment.
This method can be beneficial if a critical decision must be made on the spot. Alternatively, the crew may be new and unfamiliar with the scenario.
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Authoritative:
This type of leader creates a way and asks to follow it. They are known as visionary. They create a map from beginning to end, which helps the employees to see in the dark uncertain path to the future.
They are kind of autocrats but they explain their ideas and give a choice to choose a path.
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Pacesetting:
These leaders set the bar high and push their teams to the finish line as quickly as possible. This is a leading style where the employees get pressurized all the time. It is effective at getting things done in the short term, but it is terrible in the long run and may destroy the will of any employee, even the most hardworking ones.
It is advisable that pace-setting is good but from time to time, just take a pause to recuperate.
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Democratic:
Before making any final decisions, this type of leader always seeks input from other personnel.
Only if the leader knows how to use it effectively, can it be a good leadership style. It boosts employees’ creativity and development. The boss can get whatever he or she wants, but the employee will do everything their own way.
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Coaching:
Everybody has some talent hidden underneath them. The coaching-style leader will always approach a teammate or employee to assist in the development of that skill. The leader makes every effort to assist in the development of talent. This type of leader is continually giving directions to help their people grow and reach their maximum potential.
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Affiliative:
The emotional needs of team members are constantly prioritized under this leadership style. The leader is always able to make a connection with his or her team members. It helps in the reduction of conflicts.
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Laissez-Faire:
This is the polar opposite of the autocratic style.
The leader is always reliant on the opinions of his or her teammates. Here, the leader isn’t even the one who makes the most important decisions. The leader of Laissez-Faire lets the team deal with any situation. It has the potential to destroy the entire company in the long run.
However, in order for it to be effective, the leader must provide feedback on a regular basis.
How to choose leadership style:
The best style is to make something out of those and combine them with a perfect balance according to the situation. To do so, you’ll need to:
- Know Yourself. Inquire about your personality and style with yourself or a trusted friend. You can also take personality tests such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, etc to gain a basic understanding of yourself and help you stay on track.
- Understand the various leadership styles. It will then assist you in having the best and developing the talents you require.
- If you want to adopt a very different style that you might haven’t had in the first place, it is better to practice more till it becomes natural. The practice also aids in understanding the circumstance in order to respond in the most effective manner.
Remember the Chinese proverb: “The wise adapt themselves to circumstances as water molds itself to the pitcher.”
Characteristics of a good leader:
We are not born with the ability to lead. Many people obtain it without even realizing it, and many others get it through constructive force.
However, if these are not practiced on a regular basis, they will go away.
A box full of integrity- Truthfulness/ Loyalty/ Honesty
Always have the bravery to tell it how it is and be honest in everything you do. Keep these values in mind in every scenario, regardless of what others think. And, above all, keep your attention on the organization or team you’re serving; don’t go above and beyond for someone out of personal affection or relationship.
A strong leader with integrity can keep every subordinate on the straight and narrow.
Vision:
The ability to see the future, to see where the team is going or needs to go, is the most important characteristic of a leader.
Communication: The ability to Talk, Listen and Behave:
A good leader is able to communicate effectively with others. To be a leader, one does not have to be an extrovert or a people person. The capacity to communicate clearly with everyone involved in the organization is a necessary talent. Never have a problem or difficulty expressing your opinion, and if you do, get over it as soon as possible.
And always be patient enough to listen to what your employee or subordinate is saying.
Skills and experiences can help you become a leader, but how well you interact with your subordinate will also determine how effective you are. As an example, you become a leader, then your ego emerges, and you are now a mannerless human being. Your ability will no longer assist you in managing the squad or achieving the goal.
So behave yourself. A kind gesture to your coworkers or employees will assist you in being a successful leader.
Responsibility:
As a leader, you bear 100 percent responsibility for every action you take. What matters, in the end, is the final output, not how you used your team’s assistance.
Accountability:
It aids in the estimation of the future by counting the present. You can have a calculated vision based on your current progress in completing goals and tasks, as well as the productivity of your employees if you have this expertise.
Inspiration:
Always strive to motivate your employees to follow your vision. In other words, encourage them to participate in your vision.
Strategic and Critical thinking:
A leader must be capable of critical thinking. Leaders need to understand the organization’s SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). This aids in the development of solutions to overcome issues and promote the positive side.
Self-awareness:
You see, you can’t be a good leader if you don’t understand yourself, your talents, and your flaws. You won’t be able to choose which field of employment and leadership style is best for you. You must be the best leader you can be based on your own talents, not the one forced by others. Try to embrace those things that give you perfection. And to do so, self-awareness is very important.
Mind Set: Open-minded, Creativity, Flexibility, Patience
You must be able to think outside the box if you want to be a good leader. You’ll find a lot of unique ideas and solutions here that no one else has thought of.
And keep an open mind at all times. It means that if you make a mistake, admit it; if a subordinate contributes significantly to your organization’s progress, appreciate it; ask for suggestions from your team, and have the courage to alter what needs to be changed.
Adapt to the situation at all times. Everything does not go as planned. If something goes wrong, deal with it and make sure it doesn’t happen again in the future. Don’t waste time pondering who is to blame.
Every step is calculated to attain an unknown aim, such as a little project, leading a small writer squad to a final goal, or working for a large corporate vision, but the outcome is uncertain and challenging. Maybe you put in a lot of effort but just get a minor result. You must be patient in order to make additional movements. A large river full of patience is also on the list of essential qualities for a good leader.
Reliability/ Dependability:
Being a leader is more than simply commanding your team to the finish line. Being a leader also implies that your subordinates can count on you when they need help. Always attempt to be there for them in any scenario or consequence they may encounter. Assist them in having the least amount of difficulties on their journey.
Also, be committed to meeting your deadline and doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal.
What is leadership skills:
To be on the proper track of leadership, you’ll need some soft talents, which are known as leadership skills, to use and strengthen the traits of a good leader.
Important Skills of a Leader:
You will need to have,
Decisiveness:
Based on the situation and demand, a good leader can make quick decisions. And making a quick and effective decision takes time and knowledge in a specific field. You’ll need the following fundamental skills:
- Problem Solving
- Proactivity.
- Risk, Impact, and Cost Analysis Capability.
- Identifying chances of improvement.
Integrity:
It is a must-have criterion, as I said earlier in the characteristics section. The following are the most important abilities:
- Having a high worth
- Unafraid to take a courageous stance.
- Diplomatic mindset and thinking.
- Work ethic/Ethical decision-making power
- Being dependable if needed
- When you’re in an argument, be respectful.
Relationship Development:
To become a leader, you must have a positive relationship with your team. To accomplish so, you’ll need the following skills::
- Recognize their body language.
- Empathizing with them.
- Emotional Intelligence
- Reliability.
- Networking.
- Well knowledged in management.
Communication:
Communication is the method through which everyone is moving at such a breakneck pace. As a result, the more clear and simple your communication with your team is, the faster you will reach your goal.
The following abilities are required:
- Have confidence in your ability to express yourself.
- Confidently speak and treat others with respect.
- Listening attentively
- Friendliness
- A firm response
Teaching Power:
Your team requires feedback, and you must also behave like a coach from whom your team may gain knowledge.
So be a student and occasionally share what you’ve learned with everyone around.
How to improve leadership skills:
Always remember, “A leader never stops growing and developing. Try to be a lifelong student.”
- Always be willing to learn and grow. Never be pleased with yourself. Read and study every necessary topic and business book. Dive into discussion and learn what is going on and what is new in the world.
- Determine whatever leadership characteristics you may be lacking and acquire them. This is a difficult task, but once you’ve identified the puzzle’s missing pieces, you can begin working on them to complete it.
Always remember 3 things.
- It makes no difference where you came from. It only matters where you are going. Forget what you’ve missed in the past. Only matters what you do in the future.
- If you want to improve your life, you must improve yourself. If you want to be a more effective leader, focus on polishing your leadership abilities.
- You have the ability to learn anything you desire. You have the ability to transform into anybody or whatever you desire.
There are a few Dos and Don’ts to keep in mind.
- Make an effort to do more specific things, such as reading, learning, and developing.
- Do less of certain things like wasting time.
- Start doing the things you haven’t been doing but should be.
- Stop doing certain things altogether which are no longer relevant to your goal.
There is a saying: “ Leadership is more who you are than what you do.”
Adolf Hitler was not a decent human being, but according to the period he served and the way he led his people, he was a good leader. Nelson Mandela, on the other hand, was a good human being and a good leader. And there were plenty of other good people who weren’t good leaders.
The point of writing this is that most of the time, it doesn’t matter if you’re a good or horrible person; being a good leader is determined by your will and ambition. Now it’s up to you to decide whether you’ll use your leadership abilities for good or evil.
Reference:
- Leadership/Management
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwwBZn5duk8
- characteristics of a good leader
- https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/top-5-leadership-qualities/
- https://online.champlain.edu/blog/top-qualities-of-a-great-leader
- https://www.integrityandvalues.com/leadership-traits/
- https://www.lollydaskal.com/leadership/7-traits-you-need-to-be-a-highly-effective-leader/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/leadership-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader
- https://www.adamenfroy.com/leadership-qualities
- What is Leadership skills:
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/leadership-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader
- Leadership skills:
- https://www.skillsyouneed.com/leadership-skills.html
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2016/11/09/10-unique-perspectives-on-what-makes-a-great-leader/?sh=39c1daf65dd1
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/leadership-skills
- https://www.momentumsouthwest.co.uk/5-essential-leadership-skills/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/integrity-at-work
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/relationship-building-skills
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/communication-skills
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