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The Most Valuable Things You Can Do As A Leader
Leading is a strange mixture of highs, lows, challenges and opportunities, excitement and frustration. Despite this there are plenty people who are keen to step up to the plate and take on a formal leadership role.
So as a leader, what are some of the most valuable things that you can do?
Provide A Clear Direction For The Organisation or Part Of The Organisation You Are Leading
Where are you and those that you lead heading? It sounds like a really simple question to answer and even for small organisations can be difficult to answer. Making the time to get that clarity makes a huge difference. After all if everyone knows where they are heading, they can take actions that move them in the required direction.
Listen To Others Ideas Opinions and Perspectives
In every organisation there is a massive amount of talent. Trouble is that in some organisations the potential of that talent is never utilised to anything like its true potential. If people keep offering ideas and suggestions and they keep falling on deaf ears, eventually people give up. What you end up with as a result is a disengaged workforce going through the motions and collecting their pay cheque. In the long run this is bad news for the organisation and you as a leader.
Take Decisions Even When You Don’t Have The Complete Picture
Indecision is a nightmare scenario for everyone. Often excuses are made that there is insufficient information. Trouble is there never will be perfect information. Decisions will be made and a proportion will work out as planned and a proportion will go wrong. Accept this and get into the habit of taking decisions.
Take Responsibility For What Happens
While you don’t do everything personally, the fact of the matter is that you are responsible and accountable for what does or does not happen as a leader. It can be tempting to try and play the blame game and the long term consequences mean that it is never a good strategy.
Credit Successes To Others
Yes you might have orchestrated something and ultimately it is the team effort that delivers success. When you have a success always talk more about the contribution of others.
Take Real Interest In Others Progression
When I started out in work in 1980 there were plenty of people who took people under their wing and helped others to progress. Sadly that type of person is in the minority these days. Yet if you show real interest in helping others progress you will not just stand out but also create an environment that people want to work in.
The Bottom Line: Demonstrating your value as a leader might only require minor changes to the way you operate. While many will say that delivering results is all that counts, you have to create the right conditions where people can help you achieve more success.
Duncan Brodie helps oragnisations and individuals to become more effective leaders. Learn more here
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.