How to Check If You Are a Good Leader
There are millions of businesses and groups out there with individuals who take up the mantle of leadership among their peers. While challenging, there are a few commonalities that make a good leader in the eyes of their peers. In this article, we go over the top things that we noticed all good leaders have in common.
How to Start Checking Your Leadership Skills
There are many skills required to be a good leader so if you feel like there are some areas on this list for room to improve then don’t be afraid. That’s what checking your leadership skills is all about. If you check and everything is all good, then congrats! You are likely a good leader.
1. Look at Your Measurable Goals
Setting measurable goals is one of the best ways to make sure that you are able to adapt your strategies in the future. For instance, if you realize that sales are down for multiple months consistently then you can better adjust funds and move them towards alleviating the problem somehow.
You should aim to review the progress toward your goals multiple times throughout the year quarterly and annually. All while doing so, leading your team with empathy and supporting your team to accomplish the goals you helped to set.
2. Analyze How You Encourage Your Team to Succeed
While there are many ways to help push a team to move forward, there is no better way for long-term success than by helping your team feel valued and encouraged to do their best. Being the boss comes with a level of respect, but how you treat those in your command can help with a variety of tasks and set a good tone amongst your group.
Try to set a solid example and don’t be afraid to get in the weeds and help out where ever is needed. This can help to show that you are more than just the leader and willing to go that extra mile to help the team succeed. Even if your project or goal fails to bring itself to fruition, it is best to try and make sure that you are capable of keeping up morale. Even something as simple as making a to-do list can help guide a team to success.
3. Look at the Systems Created For Your Team
There are so many ways to perform tasks that it can easily become overwhelming for many individuals. However, creating systems and being open to feedback from others can help you to be a better leader and even inspire your team to push for goals more efficiently. A system is never perfect and may not work the same for every employee so make sure that there is flexibility and training so the team can succeed. This is even more true as more businesses look into ways to integrate AI technology like Chat GPT into their systems. A good leader should be flexible and able to identify opportunities to optimize systems.
4. Look at How Much Time You Take to Recharge and Replenish
Being a leader and setting a good example is a hard job for everyone. While some may have an easier time than others, it doesn’t prevent you from potentially burning out. A good leader can operate a team with ease, and a great leader can do so while also giving themselves and the team the opportunity to reflect and relax. In doing so, you allow for your body and mind to separate from work matters and let you reconnect with yourself. This can give you the motivation and energy to perform at your highest levels when you need to while giving you the flexibility to be yourself when you don’t.
The time you take doesn’t need to be PTO or anything (even though you should never be afraid to use it), it can be a “no work weekend” or finishing calls and disconnecting at a certain time every night.
5. Look For Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable
Whether we are starting a new project or finishing one, it is always smart to have a sense of accountability. It can be easy to inspire others to be better, sometimes, but it can be harder to be sure that we are being open and honest about our own potential. There is no one in this world that can’t learn a thing or two from their peers, so it can be beneficial to find ways to hold accountability.
While not always pleasant, a leader is also a learner and should always strive to hold themselves accountable. This can also be done by allowing employees or team members to provide honest feedback without fear of consequences or reprimanding. This safe space can allow you to identify an abundance of growth opportunities.
