A supervisor recently asked a question regarding leadership that led to a discussion about what it takes to make a good leader. Our discussion was prompted by a recent career assessment he had taken that indicated he enjoyed working with people and would be good at managing teams.
While he has been on the fast-track with promotions with his current employer, his goal is to aim for a management role where he has a higher level of responsibility.
A higher title and compensation sound good; however, the skills involved in leading people can be different once you increase your level of responsibility. When pondering your desire for more responsibility, it helps to know the difference between managing and leading.
A simple definition is that good managers (manage) things, tasks and sometimes people. However good leaders lead people. Not all good managers make good leaders.
The fact that he has been promoted several times can be a positive sign yet taking the time to reflect on what it takes to make a good leader will serve him well during his career. A couple of the cues that made him think he was ready for a leadership position were his motivation and willingness to grow.
Being motivated is definitely a key area however willingness to grow is the mark of a good leader. Here are some others areas to consider when deciding if a leadership role is for you:
It starts with a healthy dose of confidence knowing that you will be a hiring decision maker who is not intimidated by hiring smart candidates who bring value to the organization. Confident leaders know their skills combined with talented employees add to a vibrant team.
Learning how to listen with patience and interest is significant when building relationships. Pay attention to how effective you are at influencing others to take action.
Leaders see the big picture as well as set structure for growth and one of the key skills involved is delegating. The “letting go” factor can be challenging for those who desire a leadership role but are still tied to the delivery of hands-on work.
High achievers often get side-tracked with trying to do everything themselves and delegating helps you keep focus on what you are most qualified to do. Your ability to delegate will grow with your level of responsibility.
Staying focused on the organizational goals and not the noise of everyday work dilemmas. Richard Carlson, Ph.D. said it best when discussing stress at work, “no matter how successful you become, you’re still going to have to deal with your share of “small stuff.” The question is not whether you will have to deal with everyday work issues, but rather how you will approach them. Good leaders stay focused and centered on what they need to accomplish.
When things go wrong, it’s easy to jump to assumptions. Successful leaders are those that give the benefit of the doubt to employees in showing respect and fairness.
How did you know you were ready for a leadership role?
