Being a leader is much more than the title itself. It is about showing the qualities of authentic leadership. In many situations, whether it be at home, in the office, or any other setting, it is very important for leadership to be a positive experience. The way a leader acts affects the mood and productivity of the setting as a whole. So, it is important for leaders to act appropriately and understand what it takes to be a leader. Here are three hacks to improve your leadership skills.
- Have high love and high expectations
A workplace or any other setting thrives off of good relationships and productivity. But there must be a balance between the love shown and expectations set. With too high of love and low expectations, productivity is low. For example, a leader may have great personal relationships with those around them, making them feel understood, but they let little things slide. With Too low love and high expectations, workers will dread their shift, and the workplace will not be positive. This will also eventually lead to inefficiency. With both little love and expectations, the workplace may become a disaster. A leader must find the balance of showing love to those around them and expecting greatness out of them, which shows true love. A leader must know and follow up on a worker’s task, but they must also know them personally and show love.
- Be a learner
You are being a learner right now! A leader who is humble and willing to change is ideal. Ask yourself: Do I listen to others? Do I seek out and apply feedback? Do I desire to grow and do the actions to accomplish that? To lead powerfully, you must first learn. Leaders are expected to set the standard of the setting they lead, and any setting is better when all have an attitude of learning. So when a leader shows a learning mindset, others will follow. Having a learning mindset allows you to become the best version of yourself, and inspire others to do the same.
- Be aware
A good leader is aware of their work in small and big ways. They are aware of the needs of those around them, of the most critical tasks at hand, and the current situation. Good leaders are honest with themselves and others and follow through on actions. This allows those they lead to take their leadership seriously. Once again, it is all about setting the example. It is also important to pay attention to how your actions or choices affect others. When a leader is self aware, it boosts the environment of the place they are in. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, and then act on that.
No matter where you may be, you have the ability to become a successful leader. Now is the time to put these skills into action! Practice makes perfect, and as you try to have high love and high expectations, be a learner, and be aware, you can become the leader you are meant to be!
-Written by Hannah Judd
