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Are Effective Leaders Born or Made?
This question is an age-old debate, and there are many supporters of both sides with solid arguments. However, taking the middle way out, we aim to discuss those qualities that make up a leader. Whether innate or adopted, there are many behaviors that top leaders exhibit and have in common. Without getting stuck in the argument, the masses need to realize what classifies as something a leader would do and what must be eliminated to become a leader. We all want to excel in our careers, and the top of the hierarchy is a leader. A leader can be defined as someone who guides a group of people towards a common goal using certain qualities and behaviors. If you are even given a chance to be a leader, it is essential to make sure that you are an effective leader. And for that, you must know the qualities of an effective leader.
Top 5 Attributes of an Effective Leader
Leaders who have led their teams to great success often have a lot in common. Some qualities and attributes push them to achieve their goals in the best way possible. Let’s look at the top 5 behaviors of influential leaders.
1. Self Awareness
Emotional intelligence is one of the most essential traits of an effective leader. A leader cannot be successful until they know where they are going wrong or what they are doing wrong. To be self-aware is not to accept one’s mistake, but to acknowledge that you have made a mistake. You should also think about why you made a mistake and how to fix it. Another critical step is to ensure that you never make a mistake again. You can acquire self-awareness by being very mindful of your actions. Moreover, it is imperative to realize that you can be wrong, and your subordinates may have some valid points to make. It can be challenging to listen to what others have to say or take criticism. Still, as an act of self-awareness, effective leaders must remain open to constructive criticism and apply that to their lives.
2. Mentoring
Growth for the leader is not just their personal growth or the growth of their company; instead, it is the growth of the complete team together. This complete team growth is why many effective leaders spend most of their time coaching their teams to come up with a team full of highly skilled experts. As a result, effective leaders do not feel threatened by the accomplishments of their team; instead, they work on improving their employees along with them. They teach their employees all the tricks of the trade and make sure that they perform to the best of their potential. A leader often leads a team comprising people from different backgrounds. These team members can get to work with different competencies, which can be honed and polished to improve the way they use their skills. Leaders are responsible for the learning of their employees and ensuring understanding. Many leaders develop different training sessions that can help target the right skills for their employees. Effective leaders are known to produce a team competent enough to be leaders themselves.
3. Strategic Thinking
When you work in a team with a leader, you realize that it is crucial to think strategically. This is because leaders do not impose their decisions on anyone; instead, they make sure that their team members use strategy to develop solutions for themselves. It is all right for employees to use age-old practices and work with them to get their tasks done. But a leader would prefer if their team paved their way with the help of innovation and critical thinking.
4. Strong moral principles
When working for a goal that you are desperate to achieve, it is possible to blur the lines between what is ethical and what is not. Keeping this in mind, many leaders educate their team members about the correct values. And in doing that, they refrain from unethical practices themselves and forbid their team from doing so. This elaborates why leaders have often been seen as role models, but managers are not. Leaders are very considerate about the consequences of their actions; this is why they do not indulge in things that can result in something bad. They are honest, value transparency, and tell things the way they are, whether it sets them back from achieving their goals.
5. Communication
Last but not least is communication. A good leader has the gift of the gab. They always know the right thing to say and when. However, communicating can be a big challenge for many of us; we might not be able to explain what we expect or what is bothering us. This is why communication is one of the top behaviors. With effective communication skills, leaders can get what they need effectively without their meaning getting lost in words. Without communication, effective leadership is hollow.
To conclude, if you want a leader’s prestigious and coveted label, these behaviors should be on the top of your list.
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