Becoming a leader for the first time is both exciting and scary. It’s exciting because it’s the promotion you’ve been waiting for and deserve. It’s scary because it’s a new world with new responsibilities and your team looks up to you for advice and guidance. The perception is you are supposed to know all.
But, what’s even more difficult is how to make sure you become a leader you would like to work for. How do you make sure you become a great leader? One who inspires people to act and to put passion in their work? One who takes the company to the next level?
Let’s look at five simple steps that can take you from an average manager to a great leader.
Five Tips to Become a Great Leader
Delegate
If, before your promotion you liked to do everything by yourself, now it’s time to learn how to delegate. You simply cannot do it all, but by delegating you will empower your team to step out of their comfort zone and do great things. Think of it this way: By delegating, you empower your team and help them grow. You help them become successful professionals. What leader doesn’t want that?
Challenge Yourself
Just like you ask your team to step out of their comfort zone to try new things, the same is valid for you. As a leader, you have to set an example and show you are not afraid to roll up your sleeves and try new things, new approaches, or new ideas and processes.
Getting out of your comfort zone will help you grow and become a great leader.
Continuous Learning
What worked in your old job, won’t in your new role. As a new leader you have different responsibilities, which require a different skill set. Make it your mission to adapt your skill set to the realities of the new position.
Hire a coach who can help you become a successful great leader and always keep learning.
Get Creative with Time Management
Now is a good time to put to work those time management skills you perfected during your career. Apply time management in your work, but also in your personal life. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment with your work and personal life.
There is nothing worse than an overwhelmed, burned out leader.
Have a Vision
All great achievements start with a vision and a mission to change the status quo. Define your vision and clearly communicate it to your team. Put a plan in place to make it happen and check on a regular basis where you stand.
People are motivated by a common vision and mission. They need to feel they belong to and are part of something bigger than themselves. Let them be part of your vision.
If you do these things, you won’t only become a great leader, you’ll become a great leader with a great team alongside.
How about you? What tips do you have for new leaders?
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Want to know more about being brief? Check out The Brief Practitioner, an online course from The Brief Lab that teaches executives how to avoid information overload and become lean, effective leaders and communicators.
