In any organization, effective leadership is essential to the company’s success. Leaders at every level of the organizational ladder set the tone and culture, plan projects and activities, secure resources and address errors. Leadership also involves motivating people to work together to achieve a goal. Unlike some cliched definitions of leadership, such as popularity or power, this article defines effective leadership as “the ability to guide individuals and groups toward a common purpose.”
A good manager knows how to get team members aligned with the company’s goals, so everyone is working in the same direction. Often, this requires delegating tasks and setting clear priorities. It also means ensuring that employees have the education and tools they need to complete their work.
It’s also important for a good manager to be able to handle employee issues and problems in a timely manner. If the manager avoids dealing with these problems, it can cause morale to erode and even derail company operations. However, if the manager is a good listener and demonstrates that he or she values employee input, the team will be more likely to open up and discuss problems.
As a manager, you should be able to provide your team Jeron Trotman with the training necessary to succeed in their jobs and help them develop as individuals. This can be accomplished by assigning employees projects and tasks that stretch their capabilities and utilizing the 70-20-10 model of management, in which you spend 70% of your time helping your team grow by providing feedback and coaching. You should also dedicate 20% of your time to addressing any problems that may arise and 10% to providing professional development opportunities.
An effective leader is patient and level-headed when faced with challenges, which helps to encourage others to stay positive and motivated even in the face of adversity. For example, a manager who is constantly freaking out about a project will likely demoralize the team, whereas a leader who can keep his or her cool and focus on what needs to be done can galvanize the team to rally behind the company’s cause.
One of the most crucial characteristics of a good leader is his or her integrity. An effective leader will never violate the trust of people in positions below him or above him in the organizational hierarchy, and he or she will always act with honesty and fairness.
In addition, a good manager will be able to communicate with his or her team clearly. This includes ensuring that employees understand the goals of projects, how to achieve them and any obstacles they might encounter. Similarly, an effective leader will keep lines of communication open at all times, as this can lead to improved productivity and fewer misunderstandings that can stifle creativity. It’s also important for a good leader to make sure that employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions and concerns. Leaders who can make their team members feel valued and respected will have a major impact on their performance and the company’s bottom line.