How to Be a Leader To be a leader, you dont have to be an elected official, or a CEO. A leader is someone who others consistently want to follow for new trends and ideas. A fancy title can make that happen temporarily, but a true leader inspires steadfast loyalty with the steps 1) Be confident. This step has nothing to do with actually knowing what youre doing -- as long as youre confident, few people will ask questions. People assume things, and when you act as if you belong, they assume you do. Therefore, when you are confident, they will naturally assume you know what you are doing. This gains you trust, responsibility, and respect. • Confidence can be had in any situation. Imagine saying, I dont know the answer, while looking down, thumbs twiddling, and your legs fidgeting. Now imagine saying, I dont know the answer, with your head up, your shoulders back, and looking the speaker in the eye. Not knowing something is fine -- just be confident that you dont know it! A lack of knowledge has nothing to do with your confidence (or ability to lead). 2) Be firm, but kind. Since youre leading, youre the one that needs to set the rules and boundaries. Its up to you to establish some system, rhyme and reason to the situation. To do so, you must be firm in your convictions and keep to your stance. However, being dictatorial will instigate a revolution. Be logical and understanding when you assert your rule. • Heres an example of poor leadership: An airlines forks kept disappearing and no one knew why. After an investigation, it was discovered the dishwashers were throwing them away because they couldnt get them adequately cleaned (and would thusly be reprimanded).[1] If youre too dictatorial, your team will throw away your forks. Different management would have avoided this problem. So be kind and keep your entire cutlery. 3) Become an expert. Saying, I dont know as a leader is fine. Saying, I dont know repeatedly to every question youre asked is not. When you dont know something, find out the answer. Become an expert on what you need to be a pro in. Eventually, youll have all the answers. You dont need them all right now, but youll need each one eventually. • Having a certain level of knowledge will help you feel confident and more leader-esque. While you can do without it, its a matter of time before someone else with more knowledge and charisma comes along and takes the title out from under your feet. So whatever, whoever youre looking to lead, start studying up! Itll pay off in the long run. 4) Be decisive. Youre standing in a circle of a group of friends, debating on what to do that night. Everyone is dilly-dallying, complaining, nixing everyone elses ideas until one person finally steps up and says, Guys, were doing this. That person rose to the top, saw the situation needed direction, and took charge. Leader, leader, leader. • That being said, you have to know your place. There will be times when you have to make the decision yourself and times when you have to give the team time to form a consensus. Respect your followers -- what might happen if you veto their opinions? Which brings us to... 5) Care about your followers. Just because they are not leaders doesnt mean they are idiots. Theyll be able to tell if youre compassionate and genuinely concerned for them. And if youre not, theyll chuck you off your pedestal. Remember who butters your bread! Without them, you have no one to lead and are a leader no longer. • Caring for them is not the same as acquiescing to their desires. Youre leading (hopefully) because you know whats best for the team; they may not. Just because someone disagrees with you doesnt mean you have to give them what they want. Allow them to disagree with you, listen to their argument, and let them know why you think the way you do. Let them know you care, but are acting in the best way you see fit. 6) Believe that anyone can be a leader. Truth be told, everyone is looking to be led. Think of life as a dark path -- the more leaders you have, the more people are in front of you holding industrial strength flashlights. Which would you rather have? Not only do people want leaders, but also they are looking for them. For that reason, anyone can do it. You just got to fill the void. • Think about going to a new restaurant (the restaurant is life). You get a waiter that greets with you a smile and outlines the flavors of three of their best dishes, guarantees your satisfaction and tells you hell personally whip up something else if you dont like it. Somewhere in your head, you are breathing a sigh of relief thinking, Ahh. Yes. This will be a relaxing night -- Im in good hands. Thats what everyone wants in life (in most restaurants, too).
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 09:45:22 +0000
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