Whether you’re a front-line manager or a top executive, you have a profound responsibility to your people, your organization, and yourself. Your words and actions can make or break the success of your team, company, and career. Fortunately, you can benefit from the wisdom of the many influential leaders who have come before you. So as our gift to you, we’ve compiled our top 13 actions of successful leaders – a list so good we couldn’t stop at ten! This way, you can continue developing into the empowering leader you’re destined to become.
Our Top 13 List for Successful Leaders
Take a moment to review our list. Then, pat yourself on the back for the things you do well, and note where you may be able to improve.
#1: Keep an Open Mind
As a leader, it’s your job to make decisions based on your knowledge and experience. But while your own impressions, insights, and gut instincts are important, be sure to go into each situation with an open mind. Avoid letting preconceived ideas or “how things have always been done” unduly sway your decision making.
#2: Get to Know Your Group
You spend a lot of time with your employees, so you should get to know them beyond their names, duties, and performance evaluations. Forming a bond with them will make them feel cared about and supported, which will strengthen their commitment to their work. Plus, knowing each other as people will make the culture, whether onside or remote, more pleasant and welcoming, which is good for everyone.
#3: Work Alongside Your Team
Get in the trenches with your team often. Doing so demonstrates that you’re not too good for any task and are willing to help. Plus, by having that shared experience, you’ll be able to provide better support to your employees and make more informed decisions about the work.
#4: Take Care of Your People
Your people take care of you and the company by doing good work. You should take care of them in return. Regularly ask how each employee is doing, and offer genuine caring and support for both professional and personal matters. As a result, team members will likely be more engaged and connected. And you will also feel good about supporting your employees in an impactful way.
#5: Model Commitment and Champion Change
The cliché that it starts from the top exists because it’s true. You’re responsible for communicating the vision, setting the tone, and inspiring your team. To gain employee buy-in, you must first show you are personally invested in the group and that you are willing to implement positive changes within the workplace. Your example and dedication will go a long way towards getting your people to do what needs to be done.
#6: Do Hard Things
Get difficult tasks out of the way as soon as possible. When you face problems and uncomfortable truths head-on, your workforce will be more likely to do the same. You’ll inspire your team by showing them what’s possible when you get through seemingly impossible challenges. Plus, your confidence will skyrocket, which could help you perform at a higher level.
#7: Be Honest
Honesty is essential – even when you have to communicate a hard message. Always be real about what’s happening because your people deserve to know the truth. Doing so shows bravery, demonstrates character, inspires trust, and models that behavior for your team.
#8: Be Candid but Caring
While you should be upfront with people, you should also be sensitive to others’ feelings. Show empathy, especially when delivering bad news. Your people will appreciate your thoughtful approach and emotional intelligence, even if what you say negatively impacts them.
#9: Ask Questions and Listen with Interest
You have to tell your team members a lot of things, but you also need to listen to what they have to say. So, solicit their input and feedback regularly. Then, apply their suggestions or fulfill their requests whenever possible. For best results, promote easy two-way communication by having regular check-ins and implementing an open-door policy.
#10: Show Appreciation
You won’t accomplish much without your team, so your employees need to know how much you value them and their efforts. Recognize each worker in a way that they’re comfortable with (public vs. private) and with rewards that matter to them (plaques or certificates, learning opportunities, chances to take on new projects, etc.). When you show consistent appreciation for their work and achievements, they’re more likely to stay engaged with your organization.
#11: Adapt Your Leadership Style
Every team member is different, so your leadership style can’t be a one-size-fits-all solution. Adapt how you lead to align with each employee’s preferences, motivations, and capabilities. You’ll forge deeper relationships, increase satisfaction, and maximize productivity if you do.
#12: Leverage Your Team’s Strengths
You can’t handle everything by yourself, so you should leverage your team’s talents to carry out the company’s mission. Be sure to delegate and let them take charge within their areas of expertise. That way, you can focus on your zone of genius — leading your team.
#13: Develop Other Leaders
Part of your role is to help develop both current and future leaders. Your organization needs strong management at every level today and a succession plan for tomorrow. To foster leadership skills within high-performing employees, offer them access to training, mentorship, job shadowing, and other development opportunities.
How Omnia Can Help
You need to understand your leadership style before you can adapt it. And, you need to know your employees before you can motivate, recognize, develop, and lead them. Don’t worry – that’s where we come in.
We can help you get to know your team members (and yourself!) through our cognitive and behavioral assessments. Our cognitive assessment helps you understand each worker’s ability to solve problems, comprehend and apply what they learn, and adapt. Our behavioral assessment gives you insight into each employee’s personality, communication style, work tendencies, and motivations.
Each assessment takes just a few minutes to complete. You’ll get an instant report with actionable information, but you can also get a deeper analysis of the behavioral assessment results to uncover more data (The Omnia Custom Profile). When you apply what you learn, you’ll be better able to leverage the talent on your team and grow as a leader.
Final Thoughts
As a leader, a lot rests on your shoulders. But you can inspire your team and achieve great things if you turn these actions into habits. What would you add to this list?
Want the insight you need to take your leadership to the next level and unlock the potential within your employees? Try a complimentary assessment or contact us today!
