Good leadership is essential to the functionality and profitability of any company. A good leader not only establishes a hard working employee base, but also motivates their team to accomplish company goals. A manager with strong leadership skills provides guidance, motivation, and feedback to their team. Here are ten key qualities that good leaders often have in common:
1. Collaboration towards motivation
Working side by side with your employees can greatly increase company morale. As coworking offices continue to increase in popularity, it’s safe to say that the days of the inaccessible manager or CEO are on a decline. Working collaboratively with your team in the creative process can increase efficiency towards goals as you hold open strategy meetings or jump in on tasks when your team has hit a creative block. This collaboration can give your employees the motivation and support they need to work through a difficult task, but more importantly, they will learn from your experience.
2. A positive attitude that impacts employee wellness
Great leaders create a culture of optimism. Every company experiences highs and lows in productivity, and the danger is that the team’s motivation can fluctuate. Practicing positivity has been shown to boost employee wellness, increase productivity, and decrease stress. A strong leader with a steadfast and positive attitude will challenge employees towards positive results and keep the culture consistent even during difficulty.
3. Transparency promotes trust
Leaders foster a sense of trust within their teams by being as open – even if that means admitting their own mistakes or being honest about an employee’s mistakes. A flawed leader is an authentic leader, and being honest about your mistakes and turning to the team for assistance shows that a leader values and respects each person’s contribution to the company.
4. Passion that Inspires the team
A passionate leader will inspire their team to work diligently – not just to get the job done, but because there’s a purpose and vision behind it. Passionate leaders take risks to move their company forward, and employees sense that commitment to their company is a part of something bigger.
5. Innovation and adaptability
Innovation is essential for success. In order to survive the obstacles of running a business or managing a company, a successful leader must be able to think outside the box and adapt to industry changes. Staying on top of trends and coming up with new ideas for the company will mark you as a thought leader in your industry and among employees.
6. Confidence and commitment that create stability
Employees look to a self assured and confident leader for guidance, and strong leadership stems from confidence. Staying committed to the decisions that you make affords the team with a sense of stability and consistency, creating a strong company foundation.
7. Forward thinking
To meet goals in a timely manner, a good leader must maintain their focus and consistently point each team of employees towards their goals. A team easily lose track of progress in the flurry of interdepartmental communications, constant emails and internal messages, , multiple approaching deadlines, and new information flooding their to-do list. By keeping sight of the monthly goals and overarching mission, the leader will guide their team towards success without unnecessary stressors.
8. Consistent communication as often as possible
Clear communication is the basis for having a successful team. It goes without saying that if your team is unaware of your goals, they won’t be able to deliver. However, going beyond simply stating responsibilities is important for efficiency and success. When you set measurable, smart goals and a clear communication structure, it’s much more likely that employees will understand their role and meet expectations as planned.
9. Engagement with employees
Businesses strive for engagement – from clients, customers, and often the general public. However, good leaders also strive to engage their team. An engaged team is motivated to create new ideas and utilize the channel of communication that a good leader has established. A leader who visibly cares about employee progress will create the momentum necessary to motivate an entire office.
10. Open mindedness
While focusing on your goals is important to driving a company toward success, it is also important to know when to step back and reevaluate a mission. Having tunnel vision and chasing after a goal that is no longer feasible can hinder progress and cause burnout. If you have a strong but flexible foundation, any necessary adjustments won’t cause too much of a setback.
