5 Ways to Be a Better Leader Today

There are good leaders and there are bad leaders, and then there are those who fall somewhere in between.  The biggest problem is that what contributes to the development of a leader is often what they are unable to see themselves.  Your own limits are determined by what you fail to notice, and so when you don’t know what you don’t know, you can’t really effect any intentional positive change.  Worry not though! The good thing about results is that they can be influenced by taking the right action, regardless of whether your thought process behind it is correct or not!  So here are 5 things you can do (or suggest to your leader) that will make you a better leader TODAY!

1. Give credit where it is due.

One of the worst things a leader can do is to take credit for their team’s work without giving proper credit to the team members who contributed. Obviously, it’s a team effort that makes success, but it’s important to recognize team members for their contributions, particularly when the contributions are above and beyond, but even if they aren’t. Giving praise to your team members will give them even more encouragement to continue to do good work. The power of positive reinforcement cannot be overstated. 

2. Avoid the word “should.”

We often find ourselves saying “I ‘should’ have done this” or “you ‘should’ have done that.”  It’s so common we don’t even notice anymore.  The problem with this is that when you use the word “should,” it automatically and implicitly makes you wrong.  Instead of using the word “should,” replace it with the word “could.”  The word “should” creates limitations and makes you wrong, but the word “could” creates possibilities.  Always try to create possibilities, not limitations.

3. Be authentic.

One of the quickest ways to lose the trust and engagement of your team or your organization is to not be honest or straightforward with them.  When you’re inauthentic with them, you insult their intelligence and show that you don’t trust them to be able to take the truth.  It’s one thing to take on more than you let your team know about as their leader, but it’s another entirely to lie or misinform them.  It should be noted that authenticity is not blind honesty or an excuse to be mean under the guise of being “real.” It’s letting them know that you share their concerns, their fears, and their feelings, even as their leader.  Don’t tell them what they want to hear, tell them who you are and be vulnerable.  Don’t be afraid to share yourself. It can only improve your relationship with your team and their respect for you.  You can still be strategic about what you share or how you share it, but whatever you decide to share, make sure that it’s the real you, and not just a front.

4. Give clear, concise directions and make direct, assertive requests.

There’s something about what are called “speech acts” that make people nervous. Whether it’s making a request of someone, making an offer, or being assertive, some people just have reservations about being “too direct” or coming across badly. Here’s the secret: stop worrying and start doing.  It’s better to be clear about your expectations up front rather than to be tentative and not get what you’re looking for.  More insecure people may take assertiveness badly that’s true, and that is their issue to deal with, not yours.  It is impossible to account for everyone else’s insecurities. When you try to do that, you automatically fail at communication.  Be clear up front. If someone’s feelings are hurt, it’s their responsibility to choose to bring it up with you in a constructive manner or not.

5. Be humble.

You’ve accomplished at lot to become a leader in your organization. You might have overcome great obstacles to get to where you are, and you certainly have worked for and deserve everything you have. That all being said, it’s not your job to remind anyone of that. As a leader, if you must remind your staff or peers about what you’ve done, you’ve already lost the battle.  Your responsibility is to inspire, encourage, and grow your team so that they are as effective, efficient, and fulfilled as they can be. When you attempt to remind folks of your accomplishments or what you did to get where you are, you just come across as arrogant and tend to turn people off. No one wants to work for an arrogant boss, and less people want an arrogant colleague.