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“Great leadership is determined by one’s periodical blend of personal humility and unparalleled will to lead others in service of a cause bigger than themselves.” Jake Rheude
What makes a good leader? Is it the way they speak or the way they listen? Is it their ability to inspire their employees, or to understand them? Is it strength, or empathy, or the willingness to do the right thing?
Everyone has a different idea about what makes a leader great. But the truth is, a good leader is not just one of those things – they are all of the above.
Like anything in life, we can be born with innate abilities that we hone with practice. The same applies to leadership ability. While many of these qualities might come naturally to you, becoming a great leader takes time, patience, and humility. So how can you do it?
Here are a few tips to get you thinking.
1. Be Open to Improvement
It’s alright—natural even—to be imperfect, especially when it comes to leadership. Many of us believe that being a leader means always being strong or having the right answer. The truth is, no one has all the answers all the time, and that’s okay. Be open to the possibility of making mistakes and learn from them. This is how you grow and improve as a leader. There is strength in admitting that you can do better. Your employees will thank you for it.
2. Identify Areas Of Improvement
This part is no fun. It can be quite painful to look within yourself and realize that you have flaws and blind spots. But being able to acknowledge these issues will, inevitably, make you a better leader, because you cannot begin to rectify a problem until you address it. Listen with an open mind when others offer suggestions or feedback. Often, it is not personal. Or, if it is, be humble enough to hear what they are saying before you react.
3. Earn Respect
As a leader, you want your employees to respect you. But the thing about respect is that it must be earned, not demanded. This will take time. If your employees do not respect you, it can be a process to build or rebuild that bridge. You need to consistently show your employees that you are worthy of their trust and respect. You should also recognize that there might be some who will not respect you no matter what you do. You should still treat them with care and respect. A good leader is respectful to everyone, not just the people who like them.
4. Never Settle
A great leader isn’t perfect, but they always strive for the best. A great leader knows that they will never reach perfection because there is no such thing. It is the pursuit of betterment that is meaningful. Don’t become complacent, thinking that “good enough” is enough. The journey is never complete, but it will ultimately lead you to be your best, both for yourself and others.
In closing, leadership is not easy. That’s why truly great leaders are few and far between. But if you’re ready to commit yourself to honesty, integrity, compassion, and knowledge, your journey has already begun.
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