I can’t count the amount of times as a kid I heard an adult say to me, lead don’t follow.
“Be a leader, not a follower.”
Almost everyone has heard this at least more than once in their life. This particular blog post is NOT going to be discussing how to become a leader. As you can see, from the title, this blog post will be highlighting ways to become a better leader. This implies that you are already a leader.
How do you know whether you’re a leader or not? Well, if you have to question it…there’s already room for doubt. Either that, or doubt is already living in your mindset rent-free.
Let me make something clear, leaders do not have time nor the energy for doubt. Read that one more time. You can’t lead other people with the best results, when there’s doubt. Notice I said, with the best results. Have you ever heard someone say, “they are like the blind leading the blind”. Anyone and everyone can lead with results. But, do you, as a leader, strive for the best results? That’s the key!
There must be no doubt. You must see yourself as a leader. That’s the most important step. Once you identify yourself as a leader, then you can take action. How can I take action? What do I need to do to become a better leader?
There are many ways and that I will only be discussing three.
LEAD DON’T DICTATE. Leaders teach. Plain and simple. Dictators do not have the patience to teach and would much rather micromanage the people they lead. Teaching requires patience. Trying to micromanage and make people do things perhaps the way you would’ve done it or the way you prefer is tiring in itself. If you’re unsure whether you micromanage, here are some questions:
Do you constantly find a way to tell people what to do? Meaning, do you find yourself sometimes listening to people’s decisions and then feeling the need to let them know whether you approve, even if they did not warrant your opinion specifically? YES. READ THAT AGAIN.
Something to think about. This also brings me to my next point.
WELCOME NEW IDEAS. You can not lead with the best results without be open to new ideas. After all, change is inevitable. What if you try something new and it didn’t work out the way you planned? That’s okay. That’s another part about being a leader, you need to understand that mistakes will be made and you can view them as opportunities to learn from them.
Sometimes you will make a decision that you think is the best one, but then the feedback that you receive from others isn’t what you thought it would be. As a leader this last thing that I will discuss is important.
GIVE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK. As I mentioned, as a leader you need to be able to accept feedback. It may not be want you want to hear but it will most likely be the best advice to help you progress and have success. As a leader you will also need to know how to give feedback to others. This involves open and honest communication with those whom you are leading. When you open and honest in the way that you communicate you create an environment of trust.
Let’s remember that in order to become a better leader, you must know that you are a leader. There should be no room for doubt. Be a leader not a dictator – stop micromanaging. Most importantly, listen and welcome new ideas and learn to give and receive feedback with open and honest communication.
Do these simple things and you’re already on the path to becoming a better leader.
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Shine Bright 