Ten steps to becoming a better leader

The New Year is a time for many people to assess where they are, where they want, and what they need to change in their daily lives. For leaders, whether they are supervisors, managers, mid-level executives or senior executives in any field, being more effective is the key to success, for themselves and their organization. The New Year is a great time to assess which leadership skills and traits are working and which are inhibiting success. Here are ten of them for your consideration.

Start

Learning at least ten facts about each of your “direct reports” employees. Take the time to learn more about them, and their lives in and out of the workplace makes them more human and generates respect and report between the two of you.

Stop

Micro-management of the daily activities of your employees at any level of the organization. Micromanaging lowers productivity, creativity, and motivation. If you give them clear goals and then monitor their achievement of those goals on a regular basis, most employees perform at higher levels.

Start

Have a direct face-to-face conversation with your people at all levels of the organization about what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t. The key here is to listen more than talk. But asking a lot of questions is good. While you may not act on all points, problems, or ideas, it is important to get a first-line perspective of what is happening in the organization.

Stop

Postpone writing and give performance reviews to your direct reports at the last minute. Most managers at any level make this mistake. As a people leader, ongoing feedback culminating in a comprehensive and comprehensive performance appraisal is essential.

Start

Be more honest with all comments. Don’t say something is good if it’s mediocre. Don’t say something is adequate if it is lacking. Whether it’s a product, presentation, report, advertisement, or strategy, being more honest and candid is the right thing to do for you and your organization. Too many people are generous with praise and take poor jobs.

Stop

Interact with people by email. Face to face is ideal. If not face to face, then over the phone. The last resort should be by email. Too many managers at all levels hide behind email instead of dealing directly with their peers, bosses, employees, or even customers. There is nothing like the personal touch of a leader.

Start

Encourage your people to get more training and education. The natural instinct is to say “no.” You cannot allow them to be out of the office. But more training and education will make them more effective, more creative, and more valuable when on the job. Invest in your people.

Stop

That bogus “rah-rah” program of the type of initiatives of the month. They waste everyone’s time, energy, and budget. Understand your vision, your mission, and your values. Secure your goals clearly and quantified. Then focus on energizing your time on what needs to be done to achieve those goals.

Start

Be a true “coach” by making sure you clearly communicate goals and objectives. You should be able to ask any member of your team about their goals and you should get a clear and concise answer, including their position regarding their achievement to date. If they can’t, then you haven’t been clear enough about your goals.

Stop

Accept recognition for yourself. Address all recognition to your people. The soldiers at the front deserve the medals. Not the pencil pushers behind the desks at Headquarters. When something good happens, make sure the right person is recognized, and immediately.

Being a “boss” is not easy. It really is about being a leader, not a manager, regardless of title. To be a more effective leader in the New Year, starting and stopping the behaviors and actions described above will provide a good fresh start.

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