9 Essential Leadership Skills That Build High-Performing Teams

Good-leaders-balance-between-work-and-life

Communication

The key is to find the right balance for each individual. Find the style that mirrors theirs, include enough facts to satisfy their desire for information, and be passionate enough to engage them.

High-performing teams are able to successfully juggle multiple assignments, and leadership can provide the training and tools to help them manage their time effectively. In addition, however, leaders must also create an environment that enables their teams to use the training and tools effectively.

One of the most important skills leaders must master to make time management easier for their teams is the ability to delegate effectively. When assigning tasks to a team or an individual, it’s important to be clear about the expected deliverables and due dates and to provide opportunities for them to obtain clarification. This enables the team to accurately prioritize their workload, do the necessary planning, and execute the task efficiently.

Leaders can also help by being proactive. The ability to be responsive to shifting priorities is a great quality for teams to possess, but constantly changing course due to a lack of planning—or worse, the whims of a few people—is exhausting and makes it impossible to keep up. But if leaders anticipate organizational needs and prioritize effectively, their teams will be able to function proactively, and reactivity will be the exception rather than the norm. Along with delegating effectively, fostering a proactive approach will enable your team to consistently manage their work and deliver on their accountabilities.

Empowerment

Like that brick wall, a team is only as strong as its weakest member. In the context of the workplace, strength often translates to empowerment—each member of a high-performing team must feel empowered, and leaders are responsible for achieving this.

Leaders can choose to be autocratic—telling people what to do—or they can engage others and allow them to have more input and involvement in decisions. Involving others tends to be more effective than an autocratic approach because in an empowered workforce, hearts and minds are engaged.

Many employees want to contribute to the success of the organization, but if they’re not empowered to do so, the company misses out on their valuable skills, knowledge, and experience. If leadership doesn’t allow participation, the team’s skills are squandered and they become disempowered and disengaged. Empowerment is good for both the company and the individuals and teams that work in it.

Here is the list of 25 essential leadership qualities that help leaders to achieve greater success

1. Integrity

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Integrity is a core quality that every leader must possess. You cannot run any business successfully if you lack integrity. Self-development author Brian Tracy says that whenever he holds a strategic business meeting, the first value every executive agrees on is integrity.

Business leaders know- Integrity is the foundation of good leadership, and one must stand for their beliefs. No matter how hard a situation, a good leader inspires with his principles without compromising; they refrain from making false promises or take shortcuts, choosing thoughts and action over personal gain. Delivering the said promises as ethically and morally grounded is necessary to pay the dividend in the long run.

2. Innovative

A-innovative-leader-sitting-with-a-glowing-bulb-in-hand

An innovative leader is not a creative genius with thought-provoking ideas but gives others the freedom to develop their ideas. You would always find people with great ideas who lack the will, determination, and fear of taking any actions. But innovative leaders are not one of them.

Innovative people are always open to new ideas and discussions. They listen to everyone actively and also motivate others to think out of the box. This quality gives them an edge over others since they are always hunting for creativity and innovations. As the innovative leader, Steve Jobs himself said, ‘Innovations distinguish between a leader and a follower.’

3. Honesty

A-leader-choosing-the-path-of-truth-over-a-path-of-lies

One of the essential leadership qualities is the possession of honesty. Honesty is expected from leaders to garner trust and respect from people for reliability. Moreover, we look upto people who are loyal to their words and are accountable. Thus, honesty is the most valued trait for any business leader or any leader in general.

4. Active Listening

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The roots of effective leadership lie in simple things, one of which is listening. Listening to someone demonstrates respect; it shows that you value their ideas and are willing to hear them. ~John Baldoni

Active listening is an excellent quality to have when it comes to leadership. Good leaders listen to people with great attention and sincerity. It helps them understand people and their perspectives. Active listening builds trust and relationships in the long run. Good leaders communicate with care, focus on the person and the message; they don’t interrupt and acknowledge what is being said. And that is what the world needs; leaders who listen to its people. Acquiring this skill is not easy; it needs self-awareness and humility to respect others’ thoughts.

5. Self-Confidence

A-self-confident-leader-standing-infornt-of-his-winged-mirror-image

Self-confidence is found abundantly amidst true leaders; hence they know about their competencies and leadership qualities. They are sure about their competencies and leadership skills. They have a sense of self-assurance and self-esteem and, most importantly, believe that they can make a difference. As Rosalynn Carter rightly said, ‘You have to have confidence in your ability and be tough enough to follow through.’

Self-confidence is critical for leadership because it gives them wings to take risks, accomplish goals, and fly high. Organizational leaders take charge themselves and march with positivity and confidence. It allows them to make immediate decisions, solve organizational problems and conflicts. Good leaders take full responsibility and quick actions without passing on issues, ignoring, or procrastinating.

6. Visionary

A-visionary-leader-far-sighting-with-a-hand-telescope

A visionary leader is far-sighted and driven and inspired by what a company can become. Visionary leaders work hard for the greater good and keep themselves updated with time and change. Ensuring a vision for the future with perseverance and keeping everybody invested in the process is what a visionary leader does.
A visionary leader does not hold back to take risks and unconventional decisions.

13 fundamental leadership qualities

What are the qualities of a good leader? Leadership isn’t something people are born with – it’s a skill that can be cultivated over time. When you’re able to develop strong leadership attributes , you’re positioned to inspire your entire team. Here are 13 basic leadership qualities that everyone can refine in order to be a more productive leader.

1. Confidence

confidence

True leaders are confident and know they can think – and act – outside the box to take their companies to the next level. They know that leadership qualities like openness, emotional agility and resourcefulness are often more important than being able to make a sale or wow a group of investors.

How does one display the confidence necessary to be a good leader? More than half of human communication comes from nonverbal cues . Know how to set the right tone as a leader by letting your confidence show. Confident leaders win over and inspire others because everyone else wants to embody confidence, too. Practice strong nonverbal communication by standing tall, making eye contact and learning to control your fidgeting. When you appear confident – even if you don’t feel confident – others will be more likely to follow your lead and believe in your authority.

2. Focus

Have you learned how to really focus in on what you want? Those who embody strong leadership qualities keep their eye on the prize. They are very organized and plan ahead while still remaining flexible enough to handle unexpected challenges. Like a grandmaster in a chess game, a good leader thinks out each strategy and understands how each action will affect the rest of any given scenario.

Distractions can be one of your biggest business saboteurs , but those who display strong leadership attributes don’t let them intrude. Focus is a key leadership quality because, as Tony always says, where focus goes, energy flows . Limit distractions by creating an environment that is conducive to focus.

For example, your office can have an open door policy between certain hours so your team can freely communicate, but make it known that you will not be as available during your “focus times.” This helps you get deeper into your work without having to deal with the many moving parts of your business.

3. Vision

Think of some of the world’s greatest leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr. Nelson Mandela. Mother Teresa. Each of them had very different leadership attributes, but they all had one thing in common: a powerful vision not only for their own lives, but for the world. They had an unstoppable belief in themselves and in their dreams.

This type of vision can only come from having a purpose that is so crystal-clear, others see it too. A purpose that gives your life meaning and leaves you feeling fulfilled . One that is so strong you inspire others to join you. Having a clear purpose allows you to not only achieve your goals, but to foster leadership among your staff as well.

4. Resilience

Most leaders didn’t get where they are because they were born with innate leadership qualities . Becoming a leader doesn’t always come naturally. You must be willing to embrace a growth mindset , develop your skills, work on your weaknesses and challenge yourself daily. You must be willing to do your best and fail – then get back up and fail again.

This inner strength comes from realizing that life happens for you, not to you. Everything you experience can teach you something if you let it. Learn how to find the lesson in all of life’s events, take it to heart and get back out there. You’ll inspire others to do the same.

5. Honesty

honesty

Many people believe that successful business and political leaders are inherently dishonest, but strong leaders treat others just as they expect to be treated – in an honest fashion. Being honest is not only one of the leadership qualities that will allow you to lead your business with integrity, but it’s the only real way to make strong connections with others. Whether you’re leading your business or your family, the truth is that every single person you interact with looks to your own honesty and code of ethics to set their own bar.

Make sure each member of your team or household knows what your culture and core expectations are, and show them how much you value honesty in your everyday interactions with others by setting a valuable example. Don’t sugarcoat information, but find a way to deliver honest comments and feedback in a direct and compassionate manner.

Sources:

https://www.eaglesflight.com/resource/9-essential-leadership-skills-that-build-high-performing-teams/ ^(https://bannerad-design.com/goto/https://www.eaglesflight.com/resource/9-essential-leadership-skills-that-build-high-performing-teams/)
https://blog.vantagecircle.com/leadership-qualities/ ^(https://bannerad-design.com/goto/https://blog.vantagecircle.com/leadership-qualities/)
https://www.tonyrobbins.com/career-business/6-basic-leadership-qualities/ ^(https://bannerad-design.com/goto/https://www.tonyrobbins.com/career-business/6-basic-leadership-qualities/)