There are so many differences between being a boss and being a leader. Bosses command, while leaders influence. Bosses discipline, but leaders act as a mentor. That’s just the beginning. Strong leadership matters and it’s the backbone to every successful department. Leaders are responsible for more than just delegating tasks and monitoring employees’ progress. To be effective in this role, true leaders must understand each staff member’s overall goals, strengths and weaknesses and then use this information to build a strong team.
Our last article looked at why leadership is important and what can happen when strong leadership is lacking. But have you ever stepped back and thought about all the components that comprise an effective leader? There are many lists out there outlining what it takes, but when it comes down to it, they all focus on these 6 core strengths:
- Communication
- Cultural Competence (the ability to work with people from other countries and cultures)
- Flexibility
- Vision
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
- Personal Skills (areas such as authenticity and trustworthiness)
When you look at the leadership style within your department, how would you rate the level of strength in these areas? It’s important to take a step back and look at leadership strengths and weaknesses. Frequent changes in focus and conflicting priorities can leave staff feeling stressed and anxious. That’s certainly not the environment you want. Working with a coach can help you identify areas that need improvement, develop skills that leaders can begin using immediately and learn techniques to develop a stronger, more cohesive team. The benefits are numerous: happier, more loyal employees, increased efficiency and greater productivity and reduced turnover. And who doesn’t want that?
We are having fantastic success with Gallup’s Strenthsfinder. Teams are becoming stronger because members discover how and where to maximize their strengths to accomplish the organization’s mission. If you want to improve leadership skills within your department and cultivate new leaders who will inspire and motivate, Leah M. Joppy and Associates is ready to help. Call us at 301-670-0051 or email us at leah@lmja.com.