What does it take to be the best leader in your organization or business?
For starters, the best leaders have the skills in finishing their jobs. Leaders in management may have great intentions but don’t have the skills to manage and anticipate challenges or realize potential outcomes.
The right tools and skills in your leadership toolbox can help you become a better leader, as well as accomplish your goals. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading a non-profit organization or a new manager of a small store selling emergency vehicle and police sirens;the best leadership practices and tools can help you effectively handle any situation that may arise.
Leadership Assessment
What type of leader are you? Perhaps the most important question is, what kind of leader do you think you are?
Determining your leadership style is the first step needed to hone your leadership skills. One of the most common mistakes leaders make is having an inaccurate perception of their leadership. A person may believe they’re a certain type of leader while the team has a different opinion, which could harm the team.
Instead of dealing with the consequences of not knowing your leadership style, take a leadership inventory to understand your personal leadership style. Are you a postmodern, transformational, contrarian, metamodern or servant leader? Take the University of Southern California (USC)’s leadership style self-assessment.
Decision Making Skills
Leaders make decisions every day. Many situations that require a decision can come up unexpectedly. Sometimes, the decision is small and will not massively impact your operations and team. On the other hand, you will make decisions that will impact your life, as well as your employees’.
Improve your decision-making skills by using simple leadership apps. Apps like Fit Brains Trainer and Lumosity, which are like gyms for the brain. These apps come with exercises that allow you to keep your mind sharp and work your mental muscles.
Consider complementing your mental workout with an actual physical workout. Other physical activities like regular exercise and getting a good night’s sleep can improve your decision-making skills.
Strategic Thinking
In order to outsmart your competitors, you have to think several moves ahead – just like a chess player. Chess players have to see where they want to move while anticipating their opponent’s next move. So, think like a chess player when you’re planning for your business.
By thinking strategically, you can plan and identify the best ways to respond to different situations, including opportunities for advancement, concerns with sales, movements in your team or new competitors entering the market.
Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflict is a natural part of any relationship, personal or working. Conflict resolution is a learned skill that can be developed, taught and refined. If you wish to improve your conflict resolution skills, attending a workshop can equip you with the tools needed to settle the conflict between employees, C-suite members and other people in the organization.
These workshops provide you with conflicts in a controlled environment so you’ll have a hands-on experience with handling uncomfortable situations, as well as working towards a positive resolution.
Innovation
A business without innovation will not grow. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to create change and lead innovation, ensuring that your company will thrive. Apple is famous for its pursuit of innovation and the company’s works have changed the world due to its consistent drive toward making better and unique products.
Contrary to popular belief, however, innovation doesn’t happen when you sit around and wait for an idea to hit you. In reality, innovation skills are the process of collaboration, brainstorming and trial and error. Similar to conflict resolution, you can work on your innovation skills. It’s a conscious decision that requires dedication and discipline to master.
Delegation Skills
Another key tool that leaders can use to develop others and increase efficiency is delegation. Delegating your tasks to others will not just give you more time to finish other tasks, it encourages the growth of your team. Responsible delegation gives you more time to focus elsewhere and your team has the chance to hone their skills, as well as take on new responsibilities.
Mentorship Programs
The best leaders are already in your team. Prepare them up for management positions by implementing mentorship programs to support rising or new employees. Mentorship programs can identify and groom high-potential employees for management positions. It can also develop stronger relationships between the leaders and their mentees. The program can also accommodate short bonding activities, such as movie nights or treating the team to Starbucks’ most expensive drink.
The best leaders need the best set of tools to establish a successful business. Be the best leader in the business by having the right set of tools.
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