You're leading a team of creatives. How can you assert yourself without coming off as bossy?

1 Communicate clearly

One of the key skills of a good leader is to communicate clearly and consistently with your team. This means setting clear expectations, giving constructive feedback, and listening to their ideas and concerns. By communicating clearly, you can avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and confusion that can undermine your authority and your team's morale. You can also show your team that you value their input and respect their opinions, even if you don't always agree with them.

2 Delegate wisely

Another skill of a good leader is to delegate wisely. This means assigning tasks and responsibilities to your team members based on their strengths, interests, and availability. By delegating wisely, you can free up your time and energy to focus on the big picture, while also giving your team the opportunity to showcase their talents and learn new skills. You can also show your team that you trust them and their abilities, and that you are not a micromanager who needs to control every detail.

4 Acknowledge contributions

A fourth skill of a good leader is to acknowledge contributions. This means recognizing and rewarding your team members for their efforts, achievements, and improvements. By acknowledging contributions, you can boost your team's confidence, motivation, and loyalty, and make them feel valued and appreciated. You can also show your team that you care about them and their work, and that you are not a selfish or arrogant leader who takes all the credit.

5 Adapt to change

A fifth skill of a good leader is to adapt to change. This means being flexible and resilient when faced with challenges, setbacks, or opportunities in the fashion industry. By adapting to change, you can cope with uncertainty, stress, and competition, and find solutions and alternatives that work for your team and your goals. You can also show your team that you are not a rigid or stubborn leader who resists change or refuses to learn from mistakes.

6 Lead by example

A sixth skill of a good leader is to lead by example. This means modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and values that you want your team to follow. By leading by example, you can influence your team positively, inspire them to perform better, and earn their respect and trust. You can also show your team that you are not a hypocritical or inconsistent leader who says one thing and does another, or who expects more from them than from yourself.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?