What qualities make the most effective leaders? People often think of ambitious, strong, forceful leaders as the height of success, but leadership is not limited to those who look the part or fit the stereotype. Good leaders are confident, self-aware, and capable of effective communication. And while we may not always be able to pin down a definition of confident leadership, we know it when we see it.
Qualities of a confident leader
Confident leaders know and support their teams. They stand by their decisions, admit their mistakes, and encourage team progress and productivity. Good leaders manage issues quickly to reduce team disruption and recognize that working through conflict is a necessary part of problem-solving. Confident leadership increases individual and team creativity, innovation, and inclusivity. These leaders listen to feedback from team members, value diverse perspectives, and show willingness to learn from both failure and success.
When leaders feel confident and capable in their roles, they are not afraid to delegate responsibility, and they recognize delegation as an opportunity to help team members develop and hone their skills. Confident leaders don’t need to be loud, aggressive, or brash. They can provide thoughtful and deliberate input, stay focused on their messaging, and earn their team members’ respect by being open and responsive to their ideas and concerns. The most confident leaders are human first, able to acknowledge their own vulnerabilities, and accepting of their employees as human beings who will sometimes make mistakes.
The power of confidence
Well-respected leaders are a boon to any organization, and they have enormous potential to positively influence your workforce. Consider these benefits of confident leadership:
Confident leaders are highly regarded. People who are self-assured, poised, and secure in their ability to handle their responsibilities inspire trust among their colleagues and team members. Employees look for dependable, timely, and fair responses to their workplace concerns. Confident leaders provide the certainty and security your employees deserve.
Confident leaders are not deterred by challenges. Good leaders approach challenges as learning experiences and opportunities for success, while accepting that not every challenge can be completely overcome. Their willingness to take on new projects and implement fresh policies inspires their team members to respond with enthusiasm and accept risk for the opportunity to learn and improve.
Confident leaders bring out the best in others. Strong leaders are less self-conscious and more self-aware. They aren’t overly concerned with what others might think, and the people around them are more relaxed and energized because everyone can focus on collaborating to make progress and accomplish team goals.
Developing leadership confidence
Teams reflect the abilities and actions of their leaders. Good leaders may be born, but great leaders are made with intention, practice, and continuous development. Follow these tips to become a more effective, confident leader:
Connect with your team frequently. Connect with team members often to encourage honest feedback. Practice maintaining a curiosity mindset; good leadership doesn’t mean having all the answers. Trust yourself to find the help and resources you need if you face an issue that seems overwhelming.
Seek continuous input. Knowing what your stakeholders think and need will help you meet their expectations. Be willing to ask, “How am I doing? What suggestions do you have on how I can improve?” This provides opportunities for reinforcement and fine-tuning, and allows you to incorporate and build on the experience of others.
Be willing to leave your comfort zone. We all feel confident in our comfort zones, but growth happens when we step outside of them. Practice with projects that are not mission critical, take small steps, and keep in mind that progress is better — and more manageable — than perfection.
Allow yourself to be human. Leaders are not immune to failure, nor are they beyond expressing feelings or making mistakes. The most effective lessons come from meeting challenges, working through them, and reflecting on what worked and what needs improvement.
Avoid comparing yourself to other leaders. Instead, reach out to those leaders you admire and ask them to talk with you about their journey. They can share information and insights to help you develop skills and advance in your own career.
Listen more than you speak. Good leaders are good listeners. When you listen to understand rather than to answer, people recognize that you are interested in their input. Radical listening results in insight, engagement, and increased loyalty from team members.
Commit to introspection. Even the best leaders need guidance and a place to help them learn more about themselves and the way they work. Engage with a coach, mentor, or therapist. Remember you are human and fallible, and treat mistakes and missteps as lessons, so you can feel more confident in future decisions.
Confident, human-centric leadership is a cornerstone of organizational success. Learn more about developing positive leadership skills at terrastaffinggroup.com.
Great article Jenifer Lambert 👏👏👏