In the wee hours of October
28th, a few Harvard students launched a website that would go on to become the
biggest social networking site in the world. Of course, it wasn’t similar at
all to the Facebook that we use today. It was created with a completely different
purpose in mind. To compare peoples photos and vote on who is better looking.
The website worked by comparing the Facebooks of nine houses within
Harvard placing two next to each other
at a time and asking users to choose the 'hotter' person". What started as
a simple practical joke, paved the way for what we know as social media today.
And all this was made possible, thanks to the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg and
the vision of the Facebook management. Ideas often come from the strangest
places. But once you have the idea figured out, what then? Do you have what it
takes to lead from the front and become the next big thing. Here are some key
qualities that leaders exhibit that separates them from the rest.
1. Inspire Action
A leader leads from the front
and inspires people to action. The best leaders clear organizational roadblocks
that constrain employees natural creativity and initiative and unleash a
tremendous amount of energy in the process. A leader paints the vision for the
future which inspires people to do whatever it takes to succeed.
2. Be Optimistic
You don’t want a leader who
drags you down and makes you question your self worth. A leader must be one who
is optimistic and learns from their mistakes. He/She must help employees grow and overcome feelings of self doubt.
3. Integrity
Employees prefer leaders who
are forthright, honest and fair. Leaders need to have integrity and need to
treat their employees with the same respect that they would want themselves to
be treated.
4. Support and Facilitate your team
For people to do their very
best work, they need an organization which allows them to take risks, tell the
truth and to speak up without being worried of the consequences. A good leader
must pave the way to build such an organization and foster an environment which
helps employees do their very best work and get handsomely rewarded for it.
5. Communicate
Communication is the key to a
great workplace environment. Leaders must ensure that they have two way
communication channels set up, to talk to their employees. They also must
ensure that information pertaining to work and business is shared with the
concerned employees and there is a healthy back and forth of communication.
6. Confidence
Highly effective leaders, know
that failure is not an option. They set up goals which are actionable and
allocate resources to get them done. A good leader doesn’t overburden his
employees with work, instead he/she takes the onus to ensure that work happens
without an employees work life balance going for a toss.
7. Be Decisive
One of the most critical
qualities of a leader is decisiveness. A good leader doesn’t sit on the fence,
instead he/she makes tough calls quickly when circumstances require it. Once
you have all the information needed to make a decision, don’t hesitate - make
it. And once you have made this decision, stick with it no matter what.
No matter which organization
you are a part of, it is possible to become a more effective leader, inspiring
your people to give their very best, every day of the week. Make a point of
practicing these 7 leadership traits, and you will be a highly effective leader
too.
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