‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way’ is an immensely popular quote by John Maxwell.
It makes one wonder what a leader truly is made of and how leadership can be added to the skill set of a person. Scholars all over have debated the true nature and component of leadership. Many agree that leadership can be simply defined as the uniting force amongst different individual entities that leads to the achievement of a goal. In simple words, leadership is a skill that guides towards success. This makes leadership skills an envious addition to most people’s skill bank.
A leader is said to comprise various skills like initiative-taking, critical thinking, motivating others, solving conflicts and listening effectively among others. These skills are needed in addition to the present technical skills to truly become a capable leader.
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There is no definitive key that unlocks the potential of an individual and transforms them into a brilliant leader overnight. Most researchers agree that inculcating specific habits into the work-life of an individual can boost a person’s leadership abilities.
- Constantly keep learning
To begin with, it is extremely important to never be static. This illustrates that with time, our soft skills and our technical skills can become redundant. The only way out of this tight spot is to keep updating the knowledge we acquire by taking up new courses, interacting with peers in the field, reading up new books written, etc. When it comes to soft skills, it is important to interact with fellow employees and challenge the thinking of all those around you.
- Be disciplined
Discipline is said to be the ultimate key to achieving leadership in everyday life. Leaders need discipline as it can help to achieve every goal that one sets. It ensures the routine is followed and makes the team aware of their true potential. This can lead to effective communication and execute the operations that are taken up without delays.
- Listen effectively and self-reflect
The power of listening aptly can never be undermined. It is crucial that a leader listens to the team as well as the higher managers as effective communication is the path to success and accomplishment of assigned jobs. With the power to listen, the problem of conflicts can be reduced and dealt with constructively.
Self-reflection is a skill that can change the whole perspective that you have of yourself and those around you. It can transform your understanding and lead you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, reflecting on the way you handled certain situations can help you to change for the better and make it an easier job. Adding to it, this can make you capable of dealing with this situation if it arises again.
- Think from the followers’ point of view
While it is certainly essential to be unbiased and delegate tasks in a way that maximises the output achieved, it is equally important to consider how the followers will be affected by the delegation. Considering a different point of view in conflict-ridden situations can also help to make you an effective communicator and leader. When you are standing in your peer’s place, you can learn from them too.
- Connect with leaders
When you connect with the higher-ups in your work environment, you get the inspiration you need to move further in the line. The motivation that an effective leader can lend is a push in the right direction. After all, there is no one better to cultivate the necessary technical and soft skills than a fellow leader themselves.
Having a good rapport with the leaders around you can also help you to gain access to professional events and make you more prepared for the challenges that come with the leader position.
In the end, these skills and more can help you to take the leap from good to best!
Meeraq provides a great platform for managers and aspiring leaders to equip themselves with soft skills like Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution, etc. Their approach of cohort-based live training courses alongside coaching interventions is one of the best ways to learn the array of soft skills and arm yourself better to face the world.
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