Todays’ company managers need certain skills to be effective leaders. The following 8 leadership skills that every manager needs to stay on top of their team’s performance.
Integrity
Walk the talk. An effective manager leads by example. A good leader not only does the right thing but is seen to be doing the right thing,
Team building
Managers must pick the right people for the job regardless of gender, ethnicity and other differences. A good leader is able to build an inclusive workforce. And they don’t let personal feelings get in the way of supporting people and working with them to get the job done.
A good manager gets everyone on board, building core values and ensuring the whole team works together towards a common goal. And he or she must be able to foster relationships both within the organisation and outside it – with customers, suppliers, service providers and the general business community.
Positivity
If managers don’t believe in the companies they work for, why should their teams? Managers need to be organizational champions. They need to be on board with the direction of the organization.
Effective leaders encourage and support the company’s decisions and directions; they don’t undermine them. This is particularly important when an organization is trying to implement change.
Communication
To get the most out of their teams, managers must be able to clearly communicate their goals and expectations. A good manager ensures everyone knows what their role is, and explains the expectations for that role. And clear goals and expectations keep employees engaged, with something to work towards.
And honesty and openness are skills that build trust. Good leaders are able to provide honest and effective feedback, and they don’t shy away from the difficult conversations.
Listening
Listening goes hand in hand with effective communication. Managers need to really listen to their employees, not just hear what they want to hear. Want to know if your employees have what they need to succeed?
Ask them. And really listen to their answers.
Listening is key to building relationships with employees, because it lets them know they are valued. And encourages them to participate and contribute. Your team has good ideas and skills, gleaned both in the workplace and from their broader experiences. Let them know you are listening, and they’ll feel free to share them, adding value to the team.
Emotional intelligence
These days it’s clear that emotional intelligence is a skill that cannot be ignored. It’s important to be able to recognize that things don’t and won’t always go your way. A good manager takes the good with the bad. Moreover, he or she will take responsibility and learns from mistakes. And emotionally fit leaders are able to manage their stress levels. They don’t take their emotions or frustrations out on their team.
Moreover, managers that are empathetic – who understand what makes their employees tick – are able to motivate and inspire those employees more effectively.
Delegation
Learning to delegate tasks to the right employee or team is a key skill for managers. The more a leader takes on, the less they achieve because they are stretched too thin. Take a step back, figure out who the best person is for the job, and then trust him or her to get it done.
Decision-making
It’s the nature of business that problems will arise. The measure of a good manager is how they solve those problems. Managers need to be able to make the tough decisions – and quickly.
A lack of decisiveness leads to missed opportunities. And it’s just as important to make sure that once made, those decisions are then implemented, and achieve the desired results. If not, leaders mustn’t be afraid to change course. Leadership is a series of decisions, made with competence and confidence.
