How to be a Leader in Every Role

Leadership isn’t about occupying the higher echelons of a company or organization nor is it only about making the most critical decisions.

“Leadership is not magnetic personality,

that can just as well be a glib tongue.

It is not ‘making friends and influencing people’,

that is flattery.

Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights,

the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard,

the building of a personality

beyond its normal limitations.”

Peter F. Drucker

In order to fully comprehend what a leader is, it is important to redefine the traditional conception of leadership. Here’s what you need to know about being a leader, even in a non-supervisory context.

Display a Positive Mindset

Leaders are known to stand out from the crowd; they take the path less traveled, or they make a completely new one. This idea is not limited to conversations about career or business startups; in fact, the most telling feature of a leader is the attitude and behaviors he or she maintains in any context.

Leaders stand out in their environment in:

♦     the way they speak with others

♦     how they manage their emotions

♦     successfully resolve conflict

They understand that the choices they make affect those around them. If you wish to make a difference, start with yourself. Ensure that you speak and act in a positive manner in every situation that others can admire, and this will ultimately enhance the morale and energy of those in your work environment.

Communicate Consistently

Leaders recognize the power of consistent and clear communication. Effectively expressing needs and concerns in a cordial fashion is essential to being a good leader. Dedicate yourself to knowing more about those around you and tailor your communication so that everyone understands, and feels understood by, you. Maintaining good communication also entails that a leader be responsive. Whatever request they receive, leaders demonstrate they acknowledge and care for what others say or find important. Remember, real leadership is about how you can serve others and make their lives better. Listening and responding to your colleagues goes a long way and makes them feel recognized and appreciated.

Find Opportunities to Help

The nature of a leader is to be of service to others. This includes being aware of your strengths and abilities and recognizing when and where to put them to use. Reach out to your manager or boss to ask about areas that need assistance and offer to utilize your skills to help expand your capabilities and find solutions. Better yet, proactively suggest areas where your skills could bring value.

Be Encouraging and Flexible

Leaders want to see their team grow just as much as they do their company. The success of any business stems from the energy and investment of its employees. Authentic leaders realize this and make every effort to encourage and uplift their colleagues by assigning them credit, praising them for their achievements or asking for their feedback.

To be a leader is much more than being a name at the top of the reporting structure. It is being a person that aims to inspire others to perform their best, create a positive environment that recognizes challenges as learning opportunities and transform vision into reality for the purpose of serving others. Know that you can be a leader in any role through your ability to make a difference in the lives of those around you.