Anyone can sit in a corner office and delegate tasks, but there is more to effective leadership than that. Effective leaders have major impacts on not only the team members they manage, but also their company as a whole. Employees who work under great leaders tend to be happier, more productive and more connected to their organization. And this has a ripple effect that reaches your business’s bottom line. 

Not everyone is a natural-born leader. However, there are strategies you can use to improve your leadership. Similarly, there are a handful of mistakes to avoid if you want to be a good leader.

How to be a good leader

Every leader has their own style, but there are certain characteristics all great leaders share. The below practices are often the hallmarks of a successful leader. 

1. Engage in honest, open communication.

One of the most important elements of effective leadership is creating an open line of communication with your team members.

2. Connect with your team members.

Leading a group of people requires a mutual sense of trust and understanding between the leader and their team members. To achieve this, leaders should learn to connect.

To build a connection with each of your team members, focus on getting to know their personalities, interests, strengths, weaknesses, hobbies and preferences. This can give you insight into their goals and motivations.

3. Encourage personal and professional growth.

Acting as your team’s cheerleader is an important part of being an effective leader. You should be invested in their success and growth.

When leaders believe in their employees and give them the opportunity to learn and grow, they might be surprised at how much they can accomplish. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and encourage freedom and creativity.

4. Keep a positive attitude.

As much as leaders wish their team’s day-to-day operations could run smoothly all the time, they’re bound to run into the occasional obstacle. Whether it’s a minor miscommunication or a major error, the way you handle a negative situation says a lot about your leadership skills.

5. Teach employees instead of giving orders.

An effective leader knows how to show others what is required rather than simply telling them.

6. Set clear employee goals and expectations.

Setting clear goals and employee expectations for your team is key to employee success. When setting these objectives, encourage employee questions and feedback. Including team members in the goal-setting process can increase engagement.

Don’t let team member goals go static. Periodically revisit objectives to modify or rearrange them as needed. This will let your team members know you are present and aware of what they’re working on.

7. Give direct feedback about performance.

In addition to providing constructive feedback and performance reviews, highlight employee accomplishments. If a team member does something great, let them know. Celebrate their wins and thank them for their hard work.

8. Ask for feedback on your leadership.

Your team members aren’t the only ones who can benefit from honest feedback. A true self-assessment of your leadership can be difficult, so mentors, fellow professionals and even your own staff are invaluable in evaluating your effectiveness.

9. Be open to new ideas.

Good leaders have the emotional intelligence to understand and accept that change is inevitable. Instead of trying to maintain a status quo just for the sake of consistency, embrace change and innovation. Be open to new ideas and alternative ways of thinking. Everyone brings a unique perspective to the table, and that is something to take advantage of, not discourage.

When solving a problem, encourage team members to provide their insights. When employees feel they can openly bring new ideas to the conversation, true innovation, engagement and success can prevail.

10. Understand your own motivation.

If a person in a leadership position views their role as “just a job,” it’s going to show. To be an effective leader, you need the right motivation. Is it the money or the prestige you care about, or do you sincerely want to inspire people to do their best?

Strong leadership takes time and effort

Remember that being a good leader takes time. Although some individuals are naturally inclined to have strong leadership skills, this is something anyone can learn and improve upon. Being aware of what makes a good leader is the first step toward reaching your full potential as a manager. With hard work, dedication and strategic planning, you can lead your team to success.