3 Signs You’re On Track To Being A Strong Leader

Self-Assessment Quiz ─ TRUE or FALSE:

1. I understand that leadership begins with trust and having good character traits.
2. Being a leader goes beyond being the first to raise my hand for something.
3. Confidence and having a positive attitude are core values of a great leader.

Okay, newbie, if you answered FALSE to any of the questions above, it’s time to get into the leadership game. What can you do? An excellent leader is one that can not only lead a team but, on a more personal level, can also promote team collaboration, develop opportunities for others to grow, and coherently communicates expectations. If you can focus on just these three qualities alone, you will become that emerging leader that employers are scrambling to get and keep.

Here are three tangible ways up and coming leaders can ensure you’re headed in the right direction. Let’s break them down one by one:

#1: Promotes team collaboration: Getting people to work together for the greater good requires a bit of finesse. Can I suggest that you first up your listening skills? Use your ears and your eyes. Listen to what people are saying as well as what’s not being said, and what is or is not being done actively. (Remember to read body language, too.)

• Example: I tend to be very verbal at work: on conference calls, in meetings, etc. Whereas I have a male colleague with whom I’ve worked with for 14 years who tends to be more reticent in these forums. We both experienced a manager who so egregiously offended our sense and sensibilities (actually she was a repeat offender of everyone on her team) that without a conversation between us, he and I inadvertently switched roles. I became very quiet on her calls and in her presence. She wasn’t worth my time to engage with. He got assertive and aggressive. People who had worked with us for years noticed the transition right away. Our boss, however, was clueless. Because she paid no attention to us as individuals, she couldn’t see the shift in dynamics. But that shift got noticed by others, and let’s just say she wasn’t the boss of us for long, and ultimately left the company altogether. When teams don’t feel a part of your collaboration they seek opportunities to detach from you. They won’t freely collaborate. and anything that is forced, isn’t going to garner best practices. Needless to say, this is NOT good. Pay attention people!  If brilliant Roxanne becomes quiet and seems to retreat during team meetings while Georgette tends to dominate discussions in these same meetings, use your awareness of this to coax ideas specifically from Roxanne. Make sure she is allowed to speak and express her entire thought. You may need to ask Georgette to hold on a minute and wait her turn before speaking. You can orchestrate this whether you are actually leading the meeting or not. Your awareness will facilitate and encourage communication that leads to team collaboration rather than collapse. And if Roxanne and Georgette ever switch roles on you — recognize you’ve got a really big problem on your hands.

Read the full article HERE. 

Cheryl Grace is the sassy aunt, best friend, and mentor you’ve always needed in your life. The successful jet-setting, global corporate executive founded the aspirational lifestyle brand Powerful Penny LLC. Her products, workshops and speeches probe, inspire and empower to ensure those who really want to can get to their next level of best. Her blogs on careers, prosperity, relationships, family, looking and living fabulously, and living a five-star life can be found at www.powerfulpenny.com.