How To Achieve Good Leadership Within a Company
There’s a very powerful quote by Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks that says:
People want guidance, not rhetoric. They need to know what the plan of action is and how it will be implemented. They want to be given responsibility to help solve the problem and the authority to act on it.
Truth is, a company is only as good as the quality of its employees. But hiring talent who can do a good job is one thing, and keeping them and grooming them into future leaders is another. Good leadership within a company determines the success of the company’s long-term success and is integral in building its character.
Achieving leadership may seem difficult, but here are some tips to be an effective and strong leader and to make your employees feel like they are working in a company with good culture and character.
It’s important to remember that before being in a leadership role, you were on the other side. Honest and open communication is one way to bridge the gap and to get feedback from your team or organization. Feedback and concerns are valuable information because as a leader you are able to customize your interactions with different people and understand what their needs and values are. There are so many leadership styles, but at the end of the day, communication is an important element in all of them.
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2. Advocate for your employees
If you see that an employee wants to pursue other responsibilities or tasks within your company or is interested in other tasks, advocate for them (if they are qualified, of course) and help them achieve their professional interests. A good leader believes in the professional and personal growth of his or her employees and it’s integral to invest in their professional well-being as it will help scale the company too.
3. Be Open Minded
As long as you may have been at your organization, there is always room for improvement. That means being open-minded and receptive to new ideas and approaches that your employees are bringing to the table. Perhaps they want to implement the use of new technology, or try out a new strategy. Although you don’t need to say yes immediately, at least understand and listen to where they are coming from and then make an informed decision if it aligns with the company’s goals and objectives.
4. Set Reasonable Goals at an Achievable Pace
People joke that Rome wasn’t built overnight, and chances are your company’s success won’t either. Set reasonable goals for each quarter and discuss with your team and organization if they can be met. Set a pace that works with everyone– the last thing you want is overworked employees who burn out or are frustrated. Remember that every person works at a different pace, so if someone’s pace is too fast or too slow, have an honest discussion with them and find a compromise that is suitable for all parties involved.
5. Delegate
It’s impossible for one person to do everything, and delegating is a good leader’s most important skill. As a leader, trust your employees and organization and let others participate in collectively elevating the company’s goals. Set high standards and be available to assist, but let others take charge as needed.