Transitions at Work

20th Jul 2007

Ten Tips: Becoming a better leader

Whether you have had leadership responsibility for years, or are just starting in a leadership role, you can become a better leader by focusing on the fundamentals. Here are ten tips for developing your capabilities as an effective leader.

Lead by example. As a leader, you will be judged by how closely your actions match your words. If you are advocating more risk-taking, then take more risks. If you ask for sacrifice, be prepared to sacrifice yourself. You are a role model; you must “practice what you preach” if you want the respect and loyalty of people in your organization or work unit.

Project optimism and confidence. If you believe strongly in the course of action you are advocating, your enthusiasm and commitment will be contagious. People respond to positive and energized leadership. As Theodore Hesbaugh, former president of Notre Dame University, once said about effective leadership: “You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.”

Practice active listening. Leadership by influence and persuasion is better than leadership by command and control. The task of influencing and persuading others starts with listening to those you are leading, learning about the needs of the organization and its stakeholders, and fashioning a visionary response. Active listening also helps you as a leader gauge the effectiveness of your message.

Focus on vision and the future. A key difference between managing and leading is that leaders focus more on the future than the present. Developing a vision of the ideal state for your organization, and communicating it with enthusiasm, is a powerful way to energize others; as Jack Welch, former GE CEO has said: “Leaders inspire people with clear visions of how things can be done better.”

Communicate directly and honestly. Leaders must be effective communicators. Speaking directly and openly is valued by those you lead. Often that involves telling the story of where the organization is, where it should be, and how it will get there— in simple terms. As Tom Peters, a leading management author has noted that the best leaders “…are master users of stories and symbols.”

Accept responsibility when things go badly. When there is a crisis or a problem, a leader must be available, ready to make changes, and willing to take public responsibility.Harry S Truman once said of the presidency: “The Buck Stops Here,” and is the same for any leader with final authority—they must be accountable for the performance of their organization, its successes and failures.

Recognize and acknowledge your own fallibility. Great leaders are humble. They realize that they cannot succeed alone, and that they need the support and assistance of others. They also recognize that they make mistakes, and are not afraid to admit to them. This is a sign of strength, not of weakness.

Remain aware. As a leader, you need a deep and balanced understanding of your organization and the people within it; you must be conscious of the changing dynamics of your organization. If you are leading an organization, stay in touch with your “stakeholders,” including employees, board members, customers, suppliers, and community members. As Admiral Arleigh A. Burke has said: “Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job.”

Praise and acknowledge high performance AND adherence to organizational values. As a leader, praise and reward those whose performance aligns closely your organization’s values and mission (not just sales or revenue goals). It will send a powerful message about what is truly important.

Do the right thing. As management thinker Warren Bennis has reminded us, managers are people who do things right, leaders are people who do the right thing. Everyone in the organization will watch to see if your decisions and actions are expedient, or are principled.