Being a good leader doesn’t have anything to do with titles.
Being a good leader is about respect.
Respect is earned.
Respect doesn’t come with the office; it comes moment-to-moment, day-by-day, and is earned through consistent application of positive leadership traits.
A good leader earns respect they never demand it.
A good leader isn’t perfect, a good leader has flaws but they acknowledge those weaknesses just like they deal with their associates, with honesty and transparency.
Being a good leader is a learned skill; a skill must constantly be developed, nurtured, and practiced.
Many of the traits of a good leader are almost invisible to most people.
With individual associates, a good leader …
… Finds time and a way to say “hello” to every person in their organization daily.
… Quietly notices those associates who could use a few words of support. They take the time to listen and encourage them, often when no one else even notices.
… Makes a point of focusing publicly on the big goals that have been accomplished and then privately works on correcting the small errors that inevitably happen in any good team.
… Acknowledges associates who do a good job, even if it is just a simple text at the end of a busy day.
… Sends encouraging messages at the end of a day to people who have had a challenging day.
… Takes the time to learn about the important things that are going on in their associate’s lives because they realize that those people’s jobs are only part of what makes them important.
… Stops whatever they are doing to help any associate who has a problem, even if it means that the leader falls behind on their tasks. A good leader understands their principal job is to enable their associates.
With their team, a good leader …
… Is always present to greet a new associate on their first day with the organization.
… Actively encourages fresh ideas and different perspectives. A good leader understands they don’t have a monopoly on good ideas.
… Appreciates they are not the smartest person in the room and that is okay with them.
… Facilitates and does not dominate meetings with their associates.
… Understands and appreciates that everyone tries hard, but mistakes are going to happen.
… Encourages their associates to anticipate problems and speak up before mistakes happen. Then encourage them to help eliminate mistakes before they happen.
… Trains their associates on how to make good decisions by following this mantra:
- What are the facts?
- What are the alternatives?
- Then make a decision. And then even if they make the wrong decision, a good leader will support them.
… Then encourages those decision makers to evaluate their actions by asking:
- What did I do right?
- What did I do wrong?
- What would I do differently next time?
… Deals with problems as quickly, fairly, and consistently as possible, especially the ones that deal with morale.
For everyone, a good leader …
… Demonstrates compassion and consideration by doing things like brushing the snow off someone else’s car at night for them.
… Stays patient when an associate is struggling and figuratively holds their hand regardless of how busy they are themselves.
… Understands when an associate has to attend to family issues, even when those issues may negatively affects the organization in the short-term.
… Sets the example by giving their undivided attention when another person is talking or presenting to a group.
… Doesn’t get flustered when an associate asks a question that they have asked before.
For Customers or clients, a good leader …
… Will open a little early to prevent someone from having to wait in the rain or in the cold.
… Won’t complain about having to staying a little later for someone who can’t come back tomorrow.
… Smiles and thanks each and every client for coming or calling each day.
… Listens to their concerns and issues with real empathy and compassion.
… Will solve their problems the way that they would want to be taken care of, if they were the customer.
As a leader, a good leader will …
… Waits until everyone else has been taken care at staff get-togethers before getting meals for themselves.
… Ensures that all their associates who work late can contact them if there is a problem by providing their personal cell number and most importantly answering it when it rings after hours.
… Does the right thing that need to be done even if the decision is difficult or unpopular.
… Starts early and will stay later to do the things that nobody notices unless they aren’t done.
… Will stay late sometimes so other people can get away earlier.
… Ensures that associates have the right tools to do their jobs.
… Always says “thank you” more than anyone else in the organization.
… Accepts criticism and will always consider the perspective of the person making the point instead of becoming defensive.
A good leader knows that each one of these ideas are small. Many elements of being a good leader are small considerations but everyone one of them contributes to making them a good leader.
For anyone aspiring to be a good leader, you can do each of these ideas right now. Doing these things will not cost anything but a little time and understanding.