Being an effective leader can make a world of difference to whatever situation you are in. Whether you are leading a sports team, or a whole company, getting it right is essential to achieving your goals. Managers can be defined as those that follow a set of processes, where leaders would therefore be the individuals that create this set of processes.

Webrecruit looks at the necessary attributes of developing great leadership, to determine what it is that makes a true leader.

 

1. Confidence

There are always days where things can go wrong, or something doesn’t go to plan. Stay calm and confident, as to not create high levels of uncertainty around your team. Maintain team morale, and keep everyone moving.

 

2. Emotional Intelligence (EI)

If you are able to monitor your own emotions, as well as others, this can lead to better management of conflict and challenges. High EI can also lead to better engagement, through recognition and reaction to emotions around you.

 

3. Ability to Delegate

The ability to delegate should entail a thought process of what the desired outcomes are, who to delegate to, and how to delegate. Each are imperative to enable you to get a task done efficiently and effectively.

 

4. Commitment

Great commitment means dedication to what you are doing. Commitment is more than just turning up; it’s following through with everything right up until the end.

 

5. Positivity

No-one likes a negative manager, and what’s more, they can affect the whole team’s morale by acting in a downbeat way. A positive mood is infectious and can consequently increase energy and productivity levels.

 

6. Responsiveness

Adapting to the changing nature of what could possibly affect your team is another aspect of great leadership. It is important to be perceptive and aware, to understand what could potentially be affecting the outcomes.

 

7. Motivation

A crucial part of being a successful leader is motivation. You must be motivated in all that you do, from managing individuals to achieving your set objectives. With no ‘get-up-and-go’, you won’t get to where you need to be.

 

8. To Inspire

If you are leading people, you need to inspire them. With an inspired team comes the drive to do what needs to be done. Acknowledge hard work, and praise those around you.

 

9. Communicate

The ability to communicate well is vital to any leader, as well as between those in the group. If you need to delegate, communicate the task in-hand clearly and concisely, to ensure a successful outcome.

 

The above key strengths can not only be used to compare leaders, but can be taken away and used throughout your career.