Many of these skills are evergreen. For example, leaders will always need to be able to communicate well and delegate tasks. So, the investment you make in developing your leadership skills will give you a valuable ROI for your lifetime.
1. Motivation. Great leaders are great motivators. Think about how you motivate yourself. It’s not that much different to motivate someone else.
2. Communication. Leaders must be excellent communicators. This includes public speaking, addressing small groups, and one-on-one. But remember, the ability to listen attentively is a critical component of communication. Invest in training materials or a coach if you need help developing your listening skills.
3. Delegation. You can’t do it all alone. Many high-achievers have trouble letting go and giving up control. You must be able to trust others and use their gifts in the most effective way possible. It’s not enough to just delegate. You must delegate assignments to those who will excel in that particular task.
4. Culture. Leaders must create a culture that matches the industry and the employees. A Wall Street investment bank has a different culture than an elementary school or a pharmaceutical company. Even departments may have their own unique culture.
5. Adaptability. The challenges facing leaders change regularly. Industries change. Customers change. Economic conditions change. Technology is rapidly changing the way organizations do business. Leaders have to be nimble and able to evolve to meet the changing landscape.
6. Time management. Leaders are busy. There’s always more to do than there are hours in the day. Choosing the most important tasks and making the time to complete them is paramount. Time management skills are easily learned but don’t come naturally to many people.
7. Relationship management. Great leaders have strong relationships with their direct reports, the hourly employees, executives, and customers. The stronger your relationships, the more you can accomplish. During great challenges, your relationships can make you or break you.
8. Transition management. Leading an organization or department through change is a valuable skill to develop. Transitions and the change that comes from mergers and takeovers are more common. And as companies add technology and reduce workforces, change comes more rapidly.
9. Humility. Leaders have to follow, too. Leaders that don’t follow are considered dictators. Once you empower a team, they become more self-sufficient. It is then your job to provide occasional guidance. And someday you may need to admit they no longer need you.
10. Poise. Leaders face challenges. Poise is a necessary trait for a leader to possess. Without poise, small challenges become bigger, and employees lose faith. When you’re stressed and panicked, your employees sense it and may panic too. Enhancing your poise will help you excel as a leader.
How do your skills measure up in these 10 areas? Take an inventory. And then select two or three areas where you believe you could improve. Set some SMART goals for improving those skills. Select training (books, courses) relevant to those skills and also consider investing in a coach.
As you develop and strengthen your leadership skills, you will expand your influence and effectiveness as a leader. Regardless of continued changes, these leadership skills will continue to be indispensable. Great servant-leaders are always in high demand.
Sources
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
