Is having a leadership role part of your career plan? If yes, then you need to do a self-assessment to know if you have what it takes to deserve a leadership position. Although professional knowledge and technical proficiency are required, soft skills are just as important. Most importantly, you need to have great management skills.
Here are the most important leadership skills you must develop:
VISION
Be ambitious
Being ambitious doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be overly aggressive in reaching your goals. You need to use your ambition wisely. You cannot be successful in climbing the corporate ladder is you step on other people. What’s important is that you know what direction your career will go, and be ready to face challenges, and grab opportunities.
Look at the bigger picture
Know how the performance of your team contributes to the image, productivity, and overall success of your company. You need to come up with long-term strategies for your team or department, and let them be known to your staff members and superiors as well. Set team goals that are measurable and realistic, and always communicate your expectations to your members.
CONFIDENCE
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Do not be afraid to ask questions about things you are not an expert at, and don’t hesitate to undergo additional leadership training singapore. Nobody expects you to know and be good at everything, so don’t expect it from yourself. If you are weak at something, have a member of your team do it instead.
Make sound decisions always
When you plan for the unexpected, there will be nothing that will surprise you. By anticipating what could go wrong with a project, for instance, you will be in a better position to make the right and necessary decisions.
Be open to criticism
By accepting other people’s opinion or negative comments about you, you can demonstrate self confidence. Take criticisms as a way to learn and improve yourself.
PEOPLE SKILLS
Be an active listener
As a leader, it is important that you be ready to listen to other people’s opinion. This way, you can learn what problems or policies are preventing your team from performing properly and effectively. Listen actively so you may understand well what can motivate your people to do better at their jobs.
Be flexible
A good leader doesn’t always desire to be right. You have to be open to other ideas and opinions, even if they are contrary to what you believe in. When your staff feels free and comfortable giving suggestions, and are involved in decision making, they are more likely to be engaged and productive.
MOTIVATION SKILLS
Celebrate the success of your people
Don’t be reluctant to praise your team for a job well done. A simple hand written note congratulating your employee will make them even more loyal to you and the company. Also, you shouldn’t criticize a team member in public. Point out their wrongdoings in private, and don’t forget to point out some positive things as well.
Back your team
Being a leader doesn’t only mean you have people to follow you. It is equally important that you stay behind your team. Know their needs, and do the best you can to provide them with their needs. Be brave enough also to hold yourself accountable for the failure of your team. Putting the blame on your team will make you lose loyalty and credibility.
Be a mentor or coach
A person who has great leadership skills is someone who guides his or her team to success. If you truly care about the personal and professional development of your team members, you must be willing to serve as a mentor or a coach to them.