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The influence that an effective leader has on the success of a work teams and an organization in general is decisive. A good manager, director or team leader practices and encourages open communication with and among their collaborators. At the same time, he stimulates their professional and personal growth, while giving and receiving feedback.
Leading is much more than delegating tasks to employees and sitting in front of the computer waiting for results at the end of the day. If you act in this way and you do not achieve the objectives set by your organization or achieving them does not generate any satisfaction in your team, it is urgent to review and correct your leadership style . Throughout this post you will find some tips to do it.
Assume the attitude of an effective leader
First, ask yourself how you want your team members to see you. As the fearsome, distant former boss who relentlessly imposes his authority and judgment, or as a committed and motivating guide who inspires confidence? The effective leader is someone close to his work group and is respected more for his proactive attitude and support for the team, than for being the owner of the company, director or manager.
Based on this, you must establish a connection with the members of your staff. This requires assuming a positive attitude and conveying a sense of purpose. In parallel, you must demonstrate values such as empathy , respect, humility and, above all, the ability to work as a team . Such traits are key to establishing genuine and strong connections with those on your team.
For the purposes, be interested in learning more about their personality: what their interests and motivations are, strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge will allow you to support, correct and motivate them in the most appropriate way. Establishing a human and personal connection with your collaborators is essential in building the mutual trust required to develop a shared culture of performance, responsibility and excellence.
Apply effective leader communication
It is essential to establish direct and honest communication to motivate your workers to reciprocate. It is logical to assume that each member of the staff has a style of communication according to her personality. Here the knowledge you have of them comes into play to adapt to their form of interaction.
However, there are basic characteristics in the communication that an effective leader applies that influence the attitude of the group when it comes to achieving objectives:
Assertiveness
This is the ability to express feelings, opinions, desires and attitudes and even to make claims at the right time; clearly, firmly and with total respect for the interlocutor. Undoubtedly, this skill is critical in business leadership , where specific objectives and tasks are set to fulfill them.
An assertive leader is able to present the goals of the organization with precision to the collaborators. In the same way, he delegates to each worker the task that corresponds to him according to his functions and abilities. And equally, he will know how to address a team member who is failing, without offending him and always trying to find solutions. Firm decisions, expressed assertively , give workers security and certainty.
Teach and challenge instead of command
A good leader is generous and shares his knowledge with his collaborators, and each assigned task is an occasion to do so. Furthermore, it challenges them to find different and creative solutions to common problems and helps them develop as professionals. Contrary to the traditional boss, who limits himself to organizing production and issuing orders, without worrying about training and helping employees.
Convince before imposing
When it is necessary to follow specific guidelines for a specific task, the effective leader has the ability to convince his team members. But he also knows how to listen and consider suggestions to enrich his decisions.
The effective leader clearly defines the objectives
Regarding the relevance of assertiveness in communication, the precise and concise definition of financial and corporate objectives is essential. Apart from that, it is also essential that these objectives are known by the members of the staff and that efforts are aimed at fulfilling them.
In this sense, the effective leader sets SMART objectives . That is: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and temporary within a reasonable time. Using this methodology to set objectives helps to prioritize and plan tasks, anticipate unforeseen events and evaluate progress. In the same way, it allows you to establish order in the processes, systems and activities of each department, as well as to obtain a unified vision of your business.
An effective leader handles problems with a positive attitude
In reality, not every day goes smoothly in the workplace. At the least expected moment, an inconvenience or obstacle may arise that tests the ability of the leader and his team to solve problems. Certainly, the way of dealing with negative situations is a way of evaluating the effectiveness of leadership .
Leadership theorist Robert Mann recommends identifying three positive aspects of an adverse circumstance before assessing what makes it negative. Mann found that, in this way, the director and his collaborators will not feel so overwhelmed by the magnitude of the mishap and can think more clearly about its solution.
This technique also applies to the review or reformulation of strategies. For example, if a specific action is not giving the expected results, you can resort to options that have worked in the past.
On the other hand, focusing on the solutions rather than the dimensions of the problem helps the group stay united and committed.
An effective leader invests in the training and motivation of his collaborators
Fair financial compensation is an important motivating factor, but it is not the only one. Professionals from the millennial generation and from the emerging ‘Z’ generation appreciate the work- life balance conditions and the training and professional development opportunities to the same extent.
In the first aspect, many companies were forced to implement teleworking to maintain productivity during the toughest months of the Covid-19 confinement. Many of them will retain this modality, which will reinforce it as a global trend.
Regarding training, it is normally associated with digital transformation processes and the acquisition of skills to handle new tools. But you should not neglect training in soft skills such as teamwork , time management, emotional intelligence , critical thinking, leadership, and communication.
Another relevant aspect is the possibility of professional development that your company can offer to collaborators. This ranges from assigning more demanding and challenging tasks to promoting them to higher positions. In addition, it would be interesting to take their opinion and proposals into account in the decision-making process on how to approach a project or solve problems.
In conclusion, the so-called “emotional salary” has its specific weight in the motivation of team members. The effective leader takes care to provide his people with these conditions, as far as possible. Such effort will undoubtedly be rewarded.
Also Read : Tips For Leading Work Teams In The Company
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