~by Kara Masterson~
Everyone wants to be a good leader. This is especially true when it comes to the career path where being a good leader is how you get the job done and how to advance. This is easier said than done, though, and there are many people out there who just don’t know what it takes to be a good one. Let’s take a look at six ways you can become a well-respected and inspiring leader.
Getting to Know Your Subordinates
One of the easiest ways to become a better leader is simply by getting to know your subordinates better. People work harder when they feel comfortable knowing you and when they want to be a part of the team. Promote team building activities and don’t be afraid of being overly friendly.
Not Having Favorites
Nobody likes office cliques and office politicking, so make sure you don’t promote such behavior for your team. Everyone works better when they feel like they’re treated just as fairly as everyone else. Each member of your team is a necessary part of getting the job done.
Understanding When to Defer
Nobody likes to be micromanaged. People are hired because of what they bring to the table and they’re more than capable of making some decisions on their own. Finding the right balance of when to defer responsibility and when to step in is the hallmark of a great leader.
Getting a Master’s in Organizational Development
It’s important to take full advantage of all the resources that modern society has available to you. Educating yourself is always great for producing the best output. Having an organizational development master’s degree will really help bring your team and whatever company you work for to the next level.
Taking Responsibility
When it gets right down to it, a leader’s responsibility is to ensure the team is producing what they need to produce. If something goes wrong, it’s important to take responsibility for it. Speak with the employee about what went wrong and how this sort of thing can be fixed in the future, but don’t throw them under the bus.
Listening to All Input
While you may feel like you’re great at your job, it’s important to understand that you can’t know everything there is to know about all of your team members’ jobs. Make sure you are listening to all input from every one of your subordinates. Not only will doing so make them feel like they’re an important part of the group, it will also produce the best overall results.
While these are great tips to know, it’s important to remember that being a good leader is a full time job and requires a ton of responsibility and hard work.
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Meet the Author: Kara Masterson
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
