There are many characteristics that build a great leader. And it´s not about the title you have. Although titles are something to be proud of, they aren´t an automatic guarantee that everyone will respect you and follow what you say.
Titles aren´t a final destination that you get to some day and that´s it…your work is done. These titles put you in a role of great privilege and responsibility. A role that needs constant work and care.
Being a good leader is about courage and high integrity.
And strong leadership is about putting your people first.
When a leader puts their ego aside, and turns the focus from themselves to the people they´re working with, the organization thrives. Here´s how:
When your people succeed, you succeed: Strong leadership is like being a good parent. When you support those around you and focus on developing their skills, your people will most likely succeed. And these people make up your team, thus making them your greatest asset. Invest in them.
When your people feel seen, they appreciate you: Get to know all of the people on your team, rather than seeing them as a number. And not just what they do in the company, but the personal things too. Do they have children? Where did they work prior to working for you? What are their goals and aspirations (and moving back to the first point, how can you help them get there?) When people feel like you´ve taken the time and effort to know them better, you earn their respect.
When your people are empowered, they become highly-motivated: Show the people around you that you believe in them by trusting them to make certain decisions, or to delegate important tasks to them. This will boost their self-confidence. They´ll want to learn more, do more, which will result in the advancement and overall success of the organization.
When your people are appreciated, they go all the way for you: One of the biggest reasons people leave a job is because they don´t feel valued. Give your people the recognition they deserve. Remember, they´re your greatest asset and their good work helps the team to succeed. Give them a shout out during a team meeting. Give them incentives. This keeps your team motivated and dedicated to the organization.
Basically, all these points come down to the same idea – value the people you have around you.
There wouldn´t be a company or organization without people. Take care of them first, and everything else around you will flourish.