This article shares eight leadership characteristics of great leaders. Inman News published the article by Chris Pollinger.
Truly great leadership happens when skill and talent intermingle. Much like with music, the artistry emerges when they have mastered the basics. It’s then the uniqueness of their own voice begins to emerge. Here are eight base leadership characteristics all great leaders share.
Administrative staff need to be clear about what their job is. It’s important they also know how their performance is measured. Sales staff should have reasonable sales benchmarks and high standards on professional conduct. Accountability to these expectations are your ally in a strong culture with low turnover. This applies both individually and collectively.
2. You ensure each person has what they need to represent the team well.
Don’t leave any gaps in training or support. Each person should have the tools, coaching and knowledge to represent the team to it’s brand. Your team brand’s promise is one of your greatest assets, don’t shortcut your team members ability to fulfill it.
3. You give each person on your team an opportunity to do what they do best every day.
The secret to the great management is celebrating the uniqueness of each person. We all have our strengths. Help people discover what they do best. But don’t stop there, find an outlet for them to express this each and every day.
4. You recognize and praise each person for what they do well each week.
Praise in public and correct in private. Look for ways to recognize the great things people do in the course of their everyday work. The public celebration builds the team member. It also inspires everyone else to raise their game.
5. You care about each person on your team as a person.
Profit is important. But the people that help create it are critical to your success. Each person needs to know they matter. Know what’s going on in their lives. Foster a culture where people feel loved and cared about because they are human.
6. You encourage each person’s development, both personally and professionally.
Actively invest in each person’s growth. Help them be the very best at what they do. If you can’t teach them, find those that can. This extends into supporting the development of their knowledge. Include financial planning, relationships, communication and physical wellbeing.
7. You listen to the opinions of each person on your team.
Each person sees the opportunities and challenges from a different perspective. Learn to take the time to stop and listen. The insights you glean from those in the trenches bring brilliant solutions.
8. You lead with purpose, making each person know what they do is more important than making money.
We often get lost in the trees and forget to pull back to see the beauty of the forest. What we get to do is far more important than making money. We touch lives. People are better off when they work with a team of professionals. While moving, our clients are in the midst of a major stressor event. It can be beautiful or a nightmare. The outcome dictated more often than not by the professional in whom they place their trust. Remind each person that what they do matters more than they know.
Leadership is like music. There are a few base skills which anyone can learn. Most associates can become competent by just working hard. The artist starts to emerge with the mastery of the basics. It’s in that place where one’s own voice begins emerges. Like with music, the true beauty in leadership is when skill and talent intermingle for the benefit, and delight, of those they are leading.
