By guest blogger Olivia Ryan
[November 4, 2017] All businesses need good managers but there is still no unified definition what it means to be a true leader. Some people see leaders as authoritative persons who are able to control others, while others think that a genuine leader should inspire the people who surround him.
This is the reason why most of the businesses are struggling to find or grow reliable managers. Today, almost 85% of organizations claim that it’s important to develop leaders at all levels but only 5% are actually able to do so. In this article, I will explain to you what it really means to be a leader and why you should never try to dominate other people from this position.
Traits of a genuine leader
As a leader, you should never try to suppress opinions, desires, and goals of your team members. According to HR experts at Aussie writings, leadership is nothing more than the set of traits which enable certain individuals to successfully manage groups of employees.
However, recent surveys proved that only 8% of companies have taken the time to define their unique leadership requirements. That’s why I will describe the most important leadership traits here.
Leaders are not always right
A truly confident and mentally strong person is not afraid to be criticized and doesn’t need to be right in all situations. Genuine leaders know that their main strength lies in their allies, so they encourage teamwork and boost the confidence of each employee. This way, the leader is not the only strong spot in the unit as each worker contributes to the overall success.
Leaders listen carefully
If you want to become a great manager, you should not suppress other people’s ideas. Instead, you need to allow them to express their minds and you’ll make them your loyal supporters. It’s you who sets the ground rules but your employees need independence, too. Let them be creative and listen carefully to what they have to say – you’ll make the best results together.
Leaders don’t rely on raw power
Genuine leaders don’t rely on the power of their positions but on their own knowledge and skills. That’s why you shouldn’t use coercion and inclemency as the means of leadership. Try to be rational and charismatic. Be the one who uses his experience and business intuition to handle team operations.
Leaders keep learning
Nearly 60% of companies are facing leadership talent shortage. This is mainly because their managers stop investing time into learning, focusing too much on everyday responsibilities. But if you want to be a true leader, you have to keep learning and improving personal skills. It will make you a better professional and you will manage your team more successfully in the long run.
Conclusion
Some individuals feel good performing managing roles and such persons are usually defined as born leaders. However, leadership is actually a set of skills that you can learn and it’s not the excuse to try to dominate other people. Try to remember these qualities and embrace them in your everyday work – they could make a good leader out of you.
Biography: Olivia Ryan is an incurable optimist who always sees the glass as half-full. She likes nature, knows how to enjoy silence and is keen on writing for different websites. Meet her on Facebook and Twitter.
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