From Completing Tasks to Leading a Team
3 Keys to Great Leadership
“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” —Jack Welch
We tend to promote those who are productive and get tasks completed. But are those the best skills to look for in promoting someone to run a crew, department, or organization? Just because the person is great in sales and/or great at getting their individual projects completed does not mean they can lead others well. As a leader, you depend on people who get exceptional results. You count on those people who are efficient, consistent and who can motivate those they oversee.
It takes a different set of skills to lead other people than it takes to effectively complete tasks. It is easier to identify someone with technical skills because those skills are straight forward and measurable. When it comes to developing the people-skills needed to lead a project, team, department, or organization it is less clear and more complex, because people are complex. What works with one group doesn’t always work with another and true leaders are those who can figure out what is needed to get buy-in, gain enthusiasm and produce excellence consistently. It can be overwhelming.
But it does not have to be overwhelming. There are 3 skills every frontline leader should do well, and the same 3 skills should be developed in those who are moving toward leadership positions. They are:
1. Communication skills.
2. Teamwork skills.
3. Motivational skills.
Communication skills with your people in the workplace needs to happen every day on the frontlines. The best leadership takes place where the work is being done. Be present, be engaged, and be clear in purpose and intention.
Teamwork skills start with the leader who can speak without the “I” and recognize the contributions of the “we”. Asking for input and offering help opens the door for the “we” mindset to move in.
Motivational skills come from being trustworthy, honest, looking ahead, and being more than competent. Nothing energizes a group more than witnessing good work, done well, for the right reasons. Taking it a step further, recognizing others for their outstanding performances as individuals or groups, focuses the individuals and motivates others.
Keep cultivating your leaders, they are depending on your leadership.
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” —Jesus of Nazareth
