5 Skills to Become a Tremendous Leader

Found this on an article originally posted on Entrepreneur.com and had to share it with everyone.

In today's landscape, the demand for great leadership should be considered a top priority. However, according to a Deloitte survey released in October, there is a perceived shortage of skilled workers that presents an obstacle for growth in many organizations. Fifty-two percent of the executives surveyed said that direct reports did not have the skills to take on greater leadership roles.

At the exact same time, fifty percent of the managers polled said they did not have access to the leadership training they needed.

So while executives perceive there is a lack of talent, managers perceive there is a lack of training. To further the problem, most leadership-development programs focus on outdated models that train more on management than leadership. The future of leadership at its core is about connecting people and developing relationships that foster an aspiration in people and inspire them to perform at their highest level.

Here are the 5 key skills from the original article to learn in order to be a great leader:

1. Being a good listener.

It's no coincidence that "listen" and "silent" represent an anagram. Effective leaders listen to understand, pause before speaking, are fully present in a conversation and have a knack for picking up nonverbal cues.

2. Possessing moral courage.

Simply put: Do the right thing even when it might be easier or faster not to. Trust that taking the ethical path always pays off in the long run.

3. Asking better questions.

Significant and meaningful insight can be gleaned by asking thoughtful questions. A leader acquires a tremendous amount of information from asking questions and talking less.

This approach will also win the hearts of employees, as you'll be viewed as a leader who understands the perspectives of others and cares enough to ask for staffers' opinions.

4. Offering support.

Serve those you're leading not the other way around. Part of your job as a leader is to remove barriers to success by observing what might be standing in the way of employees' achieving their goals.

Be able to determine how you can facilitate their progress without eliminating their accountability.

5. Relinquishing control.

There are times when seizing the reins is appropriate, but on other occasions letting go can be invaluable. By relinquishing control, you empower employees and create opportunities for them to build confidence and self-esteem and become engaged.

 

Source: Susan Steinbrecher - http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242477