6 Top Leadership Skills

Is a leadership role in your career plan? Technical proficiency and
professional knowledge may be required, but soft skills are essential.
The most important management skill is the ability to lead.
Whether you've just been promoted to a position with a number of direct
reports, you've been appointed team leader on a project or you want to
hone your skills for a future role as manager, here are six leadership
skills to develop.



"Inventories can be managed, but people must be led."

- G. Ross Perot




Focus on the big picture

Understand how the work your team performs fits into the productivity,
image and overall success of the company. Plan long-term strategies for
your department and communicate them to superiors and staff members.
Set realistic and measurable individual and team goals, and communicate
your expectations in the context of the big picture.

Be ambitious

Being ambitious doesn't have to mean being cut throat and aggressive.
Use your ambition wisely. You shouldn't climb the corporate ladder by
stepping on other people. Know where you want to go in your career, and
accept opportunities and challenges. Groom potential successors. If
you're seen as irreplaceable in your particular position, you will not
be promoted.

Know yourself

Recognize your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Never be afraid
of asking questions or taking additional training. You don't need to
know everything or be the best. If you're weak on detail work, make
sure you have people on your team who excel in that. Surround yourself
with people who make the company look good, not "yes men" who only say
what they think you want to hear.

Be decisive

Plan for the unexpected and nothing will surprise you. If you've
thought of the things that could go wrong with a project, you'll be
able to make confident decisions on corrective action when necessary.

Control stress

If you feel you have to control something, control your stress level.
As the old saying goes: "Never let them see you sweat." Have confidence
in yourself and you'll inspire others to have confidence in you.

Accept criticism

Demonstrate your self-confidence by accepting other people's negative
comments without becoming defensive, arrogant or submissive. Look for
something useful and constructive in any criticism and thank the
person. Show your professionalism and maturity.

"Earn the trust of your employees long before you need to call on that trusting relationship for a favor."

- Russell J. White



Listen

Always take an interest in hearing others' opinions. Learn what
policies or problems are hindering your team from doing its job
effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Listen carefully to
better understand quality of life and work/life balance issues and then
encourage employee-driven solutions.

Be flexible

A strong leader doesn't always want or need to be right. Be open to
dissenting opinions, other ideas and new initiatives. If your staff
feels comfortable offering suggestions and are involved in developing
and implementing some of them, they will actively look for
opportunities to improve the company.

Be supportive

Show empathy and patience,
and work through frustrations regarding people who are less dedicated
and driven than you. Always treat your co-workers and staff with
courtesy and respect and take an interest in them as individuals.
Remember; how you interact with people impacts how you are perceived as
a leader.

Encourage people

A strong leader has the ability to inspire, motivate
and energize. Be a mentor. Concentrate on bringing out the best in
people, developing their talents and encouraging them to use their
initiative and judgment.

Celebrate success

Be quick to praise. A hand-written note -- on decent paper, not a
sticky note -- congratulating and thanking an employee for a job
particularly well done will earn loyalty. When things go wrong, never
criticize an employee publicly. Do it quietly and constructively and,
unless you're building a case for dismissal, point out something
positive as well. If, in spite of their long hours and imaginative
ideas, your work group's project bid was not the winning one, involve
everyone in a debriefing and decide together what could be done
differently next time. Then review what you've all learned together.

Back your staff

Being a leader doesn't automatically mean people will follow you. You
need to show that you're behind them. Understand your team's needs.
Whether it's increased training, upgraded tools, new technology or a
shift in duties, be willing to fight for them. You won't always be
successful, but it's important that you act as their advocate.

Help out

Pitch in whenever you can, even if it's only for a few minutes. Show
them that you understand their challenges, even if you're not
experienced at doing their jobs. You'll be better able to clarify
expectations and do meaningful performance reviews if you have
up-to-date and hands-on knowledge of their duties and responsibilities.

"The price of greatness is responsibility."

- Sir Winston Churchill

Accept blame

The buck stops with you. If a shipment was late or information on a project was incorrect, take the heat
for your staff's errors, apologize and take corrective action. Whose
fault it was does not matter at this point; deal with the employment
responsible for this afterwards.



Solve problems

As a leader, you'll need to make difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions. You'll need to manage conflict
and help people accept change. Communication is the key. If you are
committed to your career, your duties and your work group, you'll find
innovative ways to resolve problems.

Lead by example

Always show your ability to work well with others, no matter how much
you might personally dislike them. Be fair and don't play favorites.
Keep negative comments and frustrations to yourself. Maintain a
positive attitude, no matter what.

"The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves."

- Ray Kroc

Do the right thing

When you're faced with a decision that goes against your own values,
speak up. If you're asked to do something illegal or unethical, refuse.
Stand up for yourself and for the rights of your employees or work
group.

Be honest

When you give your word,
honor it. If you cannot promise something, don't. When you make a
mistake, admit it and apologize. With so much emphasis these days on
"spin" and "damage control," you'll impress your superiors, clients and
staff if you're honest.

Avoid gossip

Don't spread malicious rumors or repeat seemingly inconsequential
stories about other people. It takes a strong man to say "I don't like
talking about someone who's not here," but it shows integrity.
Demonstrate and inspire respect and you'll also avoid creating
opportunities for people to gossip about you.

Do your best

Maintain confidentiality, respect others and be consistent. Always
offer your best talents and skills for any project, and you'll earn
admiration and respect for your unfailing commitment and integrity.



"Do what you can where you are with what you've got."

-Theodore Roosevelt
Leadership ability doesn't automatically come with the title of
Manager, Supervisor or Team Leader. It must be an ongoing learning
process. Ask questions, observe carefully and reassess the use of your
resources regularly. Use your strengths, talents and common sense and
trust your instincts.

If you're described as a natural leader,
accept the compliment. It means you've developed a charismatic
personality and special talents that inspire people to follow your
lead. You understand the vision, confidence, people skills, motivation
skills, responsibility, and integrity involved in being a leader.


Resources:

Managing Knock Your Socks Off Service , Chip R. Bell & Ron Zemke

Performance Management , Robert Bacal

The Corporate Coach , James B. Miller


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