82 WAYS TO BECOME A BETTER LEADER

There is a huge difference between being an effective Manager and a Leader.  If you consider yourself a leader, or are interested in becoming one, you must first understand that becoming an effective leader is a process, one that never ends. Here’s a few tips (actually 82 of them) to guide you on your journey to becoming a better Leader.

 

Planning & Strategy

• Understand what the core principles of being a leader are. It’s not about power, but rather about vision, mission, core values, direction and setting the standard for others to follow.
• There are different ways of managing people.  So what is your leadership style?
• As a leader you are constantly studying and getting more information to continually improve.
• As you build your business, know how to maintain it and prevent serious failures in the business and the team.
• Constantly analyze and improve the process and systems.
• Be prepared in the event of a ‘disaster’. Have a plan ready and be ready to recover from it and move on.
• Keep ‘garbage’ out of your trash cans and out of your employees heads.

Team Building

• Know how to identify, recruit, hire and train exceptional employees.
• Having a standardized interviewing process, which means asking the right questions to find the persons core values and work ethic.
• Constantly building trust in your team and your team trusting you.
• Develop and effectively communicate your vision.
• Having your team ‘Own’ the companies goals and vision.
• Interdependence – making sure your employees are sharing responsible principles.
• Mentoring your team by being a strong positive role model.
• Improve yourself by being influenced and studying great leaders.
• Control the culture and core values of your organization and never stray nor sacrifice these.

Communication

• Never sacrifice ethics in the workplace as well as your company’s image in your industry.
• Develop strong public speaking abilities to get the message across to larger groups.
• Keep your employees up-to-date with things they need to know.
• Command your own body language and your team members as well.
• Improve your proactive and effective listening skills.
• Speak clearly and concisely using economies of words.
• Proactively deal with difficult situations and set the standard.

Build Trust & Confidence

• Clearly understand and communicate the definition of Trust.
• Believe in your team, and work hard to find the good in all your team members.
• Be open minded to accepting new people, new concepts and ideas into your life.
• Be credible and real by showing vulnerability.
• Be prepared to face your fears, only then can your empower yourself and others.
• Know and understand your positive characteristics and when to use them.
• Know, understand and work hard to improve your weak characteristic and shortcomings.
• Take a look outside yourself and see how others perceive you.
• Set the standards for confidence and charisma and others will be drawn to you.

Time Management

• Set goals to get you focused on getting important things done first.
• Have an action plan to achieve those goals.
• Stop procrastinating. Remember you can only manage yourself not Time.
• Know when and how to delegate work.
• Get rid of any and all kinds of distractions while working.
• Keep track of your life by writing things down.
• Keep a schedule and stick to it.
• Know your bad habits and how to break them. 

Being Responsible

• Be responsible for all your actions, words and deeds.
• Be responsible and never deviate from your culture, core values, mission statement, name, brand, and company.
• Practice what you preach.

DWYSYWD (Do What You Say You Will Do)

• You must always be aware of what you’re saying and what your not saying. Does the listener get the message you were trying to communicate?
• Create responsible employees, but also be responsible for their actions.
• Assume responsibility, even when it is not your fault.
• Take care of your health. If you don’t care for yourself, why would anyone think you care at all?
• Teach responsibility to others, including your children.
• Surround yourself with the best and brightest team.

Continuous On-Going Learning and Improvement

• Continuously build your leadership skills by reading management and leadership books.
• Keep a leadership blog to document your learning's.
• Attend management seminars.
• Find yourself a Mentor; shared wisdom proves to be priceless.
• Learn from your employees and associates.
• Embrace new technology, it only makes smarter.
• Understand and learn from yourself. And, don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

Become a role model

• Maintain a positive mental attitude- when times are tough, you need to be tougher.
• Great leaders exude strength before power.
• Lead by example in all matters.
• Demonstrate small and large acts of chivalry.
• Treat customers and co-workers with respect.
• Always dress for success. 
• Set the standard for the office.
• Always encourage and nurture others; they will encourage and nurture you back.
• Be calm and exhibit patience in all your efforts.
• Know how to properly manage disappointments, both inside and outside of work.
• Value and cherish all life.

Being Real

• Show your employees and customers, that you care about them.
• Know that it’s okay to share your emotions from time to time.
• Allow people to see your shortcomings, for no one is perfect.
• The truth will set you free, so never lie to your employees about what’s going on.
• Don’t be afraid to put your foot down and redirect employees actions and attitudes when necessary.
• Look and learn from your employee’s vantage point.
• Promote job “ownership”.
• For everybody’s sake, make sure you have a life outside of work.
• Have fun at work! It will show.

Pay it Back

• You and your business donate to charity.
• Start your own charity or benefit.
• Help your employees learn, grow and develop.
• Good leadership means sharing your knowledge and mentoring those around you.
• Recognize exceptional performances and reward publicly.
• Use your skills and knowledge to write a book.