Best Ways To Know You Are A Leader To Those Around You

By David KigerCourtesy of Nezih Durmazlar at Flickr.com

Leadership is a very difficult skill to properly and safely gauge in a controlled environment. This is mostly because mistakes in leadership are expensive and sometimes so damaging to the company or a career that most people feel hesitant to reach for that position of being in charge. If there is one thing we have said here in David Kiger’s Blog, is that leaders are by no means born, they are made by working hard, being selfless and understanding the need to inspire others to find the best version of themselves. Being a leader is not something so cut and dry, as leadership can arise in the most particular circumstances and while you may not be the person who is officially in charge, others may see you as a leader more so than they see their own supervisors. Sometimes the role of leader sneaks up on you when you least expect it and then you realize that you have the necessary skills and vocation to inspire, teach and guide others.

Great leaders are approachable. If people around you like to ask your opinion about work matters and value the advice you give them, chances are they see you as an example to follow. It is important to instill that type of confidence in people because a leader must have the full trust of the team, while at the same time put in place policies that allows employees to come and talk freely about any issues they may encounter.

Great leaders have a positive attitude in the face of adversity. You have a professional composure even if things aren’t going great. If you can smile and keep calm during a crisis, people see you as a pillar of support in times of adversity and will feel calm as a result. Great leaders must stay collected in this times of crisis and they attitude they project to others is just as important as the way they internally work out a way to solve issues. Knowing what to do is just as important as showing others you are in charge and you are in control of the situation.

Great leaders are open-minded and flexible. You understand that just because things are always done the same way, it doesn't mean that is the only way to do them right. Employees are sometime the only ones directly involved with the exact specifics of a process, something that makes them the most qualified individuals to make corrections and find ways to optimize performance. A great leader takes advantage of these opportunities and accepts feedback that can benefit the company and those around them.

Great leaders are straight shooters. Having tact is one thing, but something completely different is trying to sugar coat reality and failing to make your point across. When it comes to feedback, someone with leadership skills understand the importance of being clear and assertive in order to properly pass information. People who are considered blunt and direct have a great quality that translates to strong leadership.

Great leaders are responsible. This goes beyond forcing yourself to do the right thing because you know the consequences of poor performance and not being reliable. A responsible individual understands their role in the large picture and knows they are a piece of the machinery that moves the organization forward. Responsibility is about taking ownership of one's actions while knowing how the affect everyone else in your team. Responsible leaders lead by example and understand that it is somehow their duty to pass on responsible habits unto their team.

Great leaders do not take things personally. If you are able to treat others around you equally no matter how you feel about them in a personal level, then you have a quality that is difficult to find but characteristic of good leadership. Learning to put aside your own personal problems and to treat others with respect even if you are having a bad day is something every leader must do.

Great leaders are not afraid to ask for help. You know very well you do not know everything and therefore you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you are out of your comfort zone. Asking for help is an opportunity for acquiring new skills and showing others that you are humble enough to admit when you are out of your element. Being confident doesn't mean you have to know what to do in every situation, it means that no matter what you face, you know that asking others for assistance is a perfectly reasonable step to take.

Great leaders see opportunity. No matter how dire the situation seem, there is a silver lining if you look close enough. A good leader always finds a way to make the most out of everything, even if we are talking about a crisis.