Success starts with excellent leadership.
Great leaders inspire and guide their teams, whether they’re working with data entry clerks or department managers, to achieve common goals. This creates a positive work culture that fosters growth and innovation.
That said, how do you become a great leader? Are there secret leadership qualities you must possess to be one?
The truth is, great leaders aren’t born; they’re made.
Great leaders became the way they are now by honing specific habits that led to their success.
What habits do great leaders consciously cultivate? Let’s find out.
Constantly Expanding Their Knowledge
Jonathan Ive, former Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple Incorporated once said: “Good is the enemy of great.”One of the most important habits of great leaders is their commitment to constant improvement.
These include attending online courses, reading industry-related publications, and growing their networks.
Additionally, they’re not just content with learning within their fields. They’re also willing to explore unfamiliar subjects to expand their knowledge.
Additionally, this sets a good example and promotes a culture of continuous learning within their teams.
Taking Responsibility for Their Mistakes
Humility is another hallmark characteristic of good leaders.
Instead of ignoring their mistake or blaming others, good leaders freely admit to any errors and resolve to avoid them in the future.
They also actively encourage their subordinates to give feedback so they can work on future improvement.
This promotes accountability and transparency in the team and improves employees’ trust which, in turn, improves productivity and retention.
Supporting and Empowering Their Subordinates
A great leader needs an equally great team to succeed.
Thus, they’ll provide mentorship programs, further training, and resources to help employees hone their skills and grow their careers. Doing so enhances their performance, drives innovation, and cultivates new leaders within your team.
Aside from these, they also empower their employees by delegating tasks to them.
This conveys trust and enables them to demonstrate their skills and gain new experiences, increasing their confidence and encouraging them to take more initiative.
Employing Strategic Foresight and a Knack for Planning
Great leaders are visionaries.
These leaders set clear and achievable goals to guide their companies in the right direction.
Additionally, they routinely scan the current business environment for emerging trends, opportunities, and threats and develop plans for them.
Of course, having a vision for the future is one thing; conveying and motivating your team to pursue this is another.
To do so, they clearly explain their vision to the rest of their team and ensure each member understands their role in achieving them.
Communicating Well
Poor communication is a common cause of friction in the office.
Thus, one of the most important habits of great leaders is communicating clearly and concisely to their clients and subordinates. Doing so helps reduce misunderstandings and facilitates quicker actions and decision-making.
One skill that helps them communicate well is active listening. This involves focusing on what the speaker is saying so they can better understand and respond to what the other person is saying.
In addition, they also regularly conduct check-ins and updates with their team to check on their progress and ensure they’re aligned with your business goals.
Fostering a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Growing your business shouldn’t come at the cost of your health and relationships.
Getting adequate rest enables leaders to return to work refreshed and run their businesses effectively.
If you find yourself constantly swamped with work, hiring a virtual assistant or a virtual personal assistant can help you regain control of your time.
Maintaining a healthier work-life balance also sets a positive example for employees – and creates an environment that boosts everyone’s productivity and well-being.
Good Habits = Great Success
Leadership development is the continuous process of improving yourself.
While some are blessed with natural charisma or talent, that doesn’t mean that those who aren’t can’t grow to become better leaders.
By carefully cultivating the habits above, you too can become a great leader yourself.
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John Carlo Pagsolingan is a carefree yet hardworking writer with aspirations of becoming a teacher in the future. He believes that remote working isn’t just a substitute; but is a legitimate alternative to face-to-face work. Learn more as he writes about the advantages of remote work and tips for aspiring remote workers.