Here are the top 10 skills you need to become a good leader…

Whether you are already a leader or you are aspiring to be one someday, it is important that you learn the elements of leadership. The top skills that you need to master in order to be an efficient leader include communication, motivation, and delegation. The leadership position you hold does not matter. You could be a department head or the CEO of your own company. All that matters is that you internalize the leadership skills needed and put them into practice when working with your team or colleagues. Some of the skills that make a good leader include:

1. Being trustworthy

The ability to be trustworthy and maintain integrity makes you stand strong as a good leader. You will be confronted by situations where your trustworthiness will be tested not only as a leader but as a person. Do not forget the importance of remaining trustworthy regardless of circumstances. When you are trustworthy, the people you work with will hold you in high esteem, and they will be willing to work with you diligently because you have earned their respect. Moreover, it is easier to expect your team to be trustworthy, only if you set the best example for them.

2. Staying true to your commitment 

The true mark of a good leader is one who is able to stay committed to delivering what they promised to deliver. If you take up an assignment, make sure that you perform it by doing your best. When your colleagues see you doing what you had promised to do diligently, they will be challenged to follow your example.

3. Good communication skills

For you to become a remarkable leader, you need excellent communication skills. Your ability to package and relay all kinds of messages is what will have you stand out as a good leader. How well are you able to hold a face-to-face conversation? Are you able to communicate with different kinds of people regardless of their social standing in the office, or their unique personality traits? As a leader, you have to ensure that you share information in a way that is understood by everyone.

Think of communication beyond having a chat with your team members or colleagues. Communication includes the use of emails, letters, phone conversations, social networks, and other platforms that your business may use for communication. How effectively can you use these tools for communication?

Remember good communicators must be able to listen well. Do not just strive to pass your message across through a close-ended conversation. Encourage the person you are communicating with to open up and share their thoughts and opinion. As a leader, you should also establish an open door policy where your colleagues can step in and address issues with you whenever there is a need.

4. Ability to motivate people

Leadership does not stop at issuing instructions on how things ought to be done. As a leader, you have the responsibility of motivating your team to perform better at their jobs. Inspire them! Make them feel like they are working for their own good. Create an environment where working becomes enjoyable by helping them identify their strengths, and encouraging them whenever they perform well. Also, ensure that your team is compensated well for the work that they do so that they feel appreciated.

Additionally, you can set up a reward system where you recognize exceptional team members and reward them for a job well done. This way, they will stay motivated and aspire to perform even better.

5. Readiness to delegate duty

If you want to fail as a leader, then ignore the importance of delegation of duty to others. Many leaders have the misconception that if they delegate some responsibilities and duties to others, then they will be viewed as weak. Not so! A leader who is able to entrust another person to help in fulfilling a role can achieve much more than one who takes up all the jobs. When you realize how important it is to delegate some duties to others, then you will not get overwhelmed by work. In fact, you will be able to focus on only your most important roles, and everything will move smoothly. Besides, you will become a better leader because you will be relaxed, and you will not be as irritable as someone who is overwhelmed with work.

6. Spreading positive energy 

Let’s admit it. Nobody wants to be around someone who is full of negative energy. If you are always whining, complaining, and yelling, then, needless to say, others will hate working with you. As a leader, cultivate positivity as part of the culture in your business. Spread some good cheer. Be someone that people admire and want to work with due to the positive energy that you emanate. Of course, there will be times when things don’t go as planned; don’t let it stress you or pull you down. Instead, look for the positive side and what can be learned from the situation.

Take some time off your computer and interact personally with your team members. Ask them about their families, and other general issues around their lives. When they realize that you care about them as human beings, they will appreciate working with you.

7. Learning the importance of creativity 

There is no one right way to carry yourself as a leader. Learn how to be creative whenever you are called upon to fulfill certain roles. You will be faced with unique issues that may need creative problem-solving skills to maneuver. Every single day will bring with it something new, so learn how to be creative if you want to handle them. The people you work with will respect and appreciate your creative solutions to problems that arise.

8. Giving necessary feedback 

The fact that you are a leader means that your team expects you to give them feedback concerning the work that they do. Always take the opportunity to professionally tell them what you think of their performance and recommendations on how to make things better. But you should not be too intense in giving feedback to the extent of intimidating your colleagues. Don’t make them feel like you are being arrogant and petty. Give feedback from a space of compassion and support.

9. Being responsible

Never forget the fact that you are leading your team. You are the one in charge – not to sound bossy, but you should always bear in mind that when the team fails, you take the most blame as a leader. Be mature enough to take responsibility where you fail, and find new ways in which you can do things differently. Don’t be the type of leader who never takes responsibility. Avoiding blame and pointing accusing fingers at the people you work with will only have you lose credibility in the eyes of your team members and colleagues. The best thing to do is accept responsibility, learn from the mistakes and move forward.

10. Allowing some flexibility 

A rigid leader can never be effective in performing leadership roles. Life itself is not predictable, so expect the unexpected. Be ready to embrace the changes that may occur in the workplace, without feeling stressed when things don’t happen as expected. Your team will see you as a leader when you are able to easily adjust to different situations.

Your flexibility should also extend to how well you can take ideas and suggestions from your colleagues. You do not always have to agree with their suggestions, but that does not mean that you should be rigid whenever they have something to say.

Generally, being a leader requires the above-mentioned skills. It also needs you to maintain your focus and stay disciplined as you fulfill your roles. Never underestimate those who work with you, because without teamwork, you cannot succeed as a leader.