Leadership advice is shared insight that might help leaders improve their abilities to guide others successfully, which can lead leaders and their teams to achieve common goals effectively. If you’re in a leadership position, learning how to seek advice can give you new ideas for problem-solving and demonstrate you’re willing to learn and grow.
In this article, we list 21 tips to become an effective leader and discuss why leadership advice is beneficial.
21 tips for effective leadership
Here are some tips to become an effective leader:
1. Be humble
Leaders who are humble share the success of the team with other team members. They might do this by drawing attention to the hard work of each individual within the team and recognizing the effort of each team member against external forces when they have the chance to do so. This type of humility can help all team members feel a sense of inclusion and pride in their work.
2. Be goal-oriented
Rather than focusing on a problem, effective leaders direct their attention toward the solution. They may do this by focusing on company goals and developing a plan to meet those goals. Effective leaders prioritize so they can complete the most urgent tasks first.
3. Build trust
Develop relationships to earn the trust of the team because it can facilitate better teamwork. A leader who actively seeks to build trust may also demonstrate that consideration for the interests of team members and the company. Here are a few tips to help you build trust at work:
- Participate in daily activities.
- Learn something about each team member.
- Be fair and consistent.
- Involve individuals of all levels in decisions.
- Recognize your colleagues’ contributions to shared work.
4. Be decisive
Decisive individuals can make quick and efficient decisions in the workplace. This may help them troubleshoot problems and achieve success quickly. When choosing a solution, think about the goals of your project and company, then pick a solution that aligns with these goals.
Strive to inspire a shared vision among colleagues so that everyone is working toward a common goal. When it comes time to make a decision, be confident in your ability to guide team members toward the proper outcome. This confidence can help inspire a team to follow your leadership.
5. Set an example
As a leader, you have a greater deal of accountability than the individuals on your team. Your primary goal as a manager is to set an example. Be the kind of leader you would follow yourself. For example, if you want your colleagues to be on time, be punctual yourself.
6. Encourage communication
Part of building trust in the workplace is establishing an environment where team members can take risks and comfortably express their ideas, concerns or opinions. Here are a few ways to promote an open environment for two-way feedback:
- Encourage feedback. Encourage individuals to ask questions, recommend ways to solve problems and discuss concerns. Let them express their opinions on company policies or decisions.
- Reward outstanding individuals. Mention or reward team members who’ve achieved significant progress toward the organizational goals or shared useful feedback with the company.
- Promote respect for varied opinions. Encourage all team members, including senior leaders and management, to respect the opinions or perceptions of their colleagues.
7. Learn about your team
Taking time to learn about your team and to help the team learn about each other, can help improve communication and mutual respect. As a leader, learning about your peers and understanding their individual personalities, goals and work styles can also help you develop better strategies for management. You can also use what you learn to establish an environment every team member feels like you listen to them and care for their wellbeing.
8. Provide constructive feedback
Constructive criticism can have a positive effect on a team member’s professional growth. When you provide feedback, be specific. Clearly explain how team members can change their behavior to better align with your expectations. Maintain a friendly and respectful tone and restate the individual’s value to the company. You can also tell them that you’re providing this feedback because you want to see them grow and succeed.
9. Know when to delegate tasks
As an effective leader, know when to delegate assignments and when to complete them yourself. Assigning tasks in this way can help you focus on the most important tasks you have yet to complete.
Before you delegate a task, consider the following:
- Other team members who have the skills or information to complete the assignment
- If the assignment provides an opportunity to build and improve an individual’s skill set
- Is this a recurring task
- If there’s enough time to delegate the assignment efficiently
- Reasons you shouldn’t delegate this task
10. Give without expecting something in return
Effective leaders may adopt a servant-leadership mindset. This involves refocusing your mind on giving without expecting something in return. Leaders who give naturally see potential and abundance in those around them, so developing this mindset might help you succeed in encouraging the development of your peers. You may also share knowledge and offer support generously.
11. Know your own limits
Even the kindest and most caring leaders have boundaries and limits. When you have firm boundaries as a leader, you can earn the respect of your colleagues or team members. Knowing your strengths and limitations can help you delegate tasks that are better suited to other team members.
When you set limits or clear boundaries with team members, put your communication skills into practice to explain what you need that can help you be successful. Also, be sure to respect the boundaries and limits of others.
12. Keep learning
Successful leaders often know that there’s always something new to learn. Many team members respect leaders that can admit when they don’t have the right answer and are eager to learn new things. These leaders are willing to let their teams teach them something new and look for professional development opportunities for themselves, such as taking a course or attending networking events.
13. Trust your team members
When you trust the individuals on your team and let them do their job without interfering, you can increase their productivity and boost their morale. You can also build their confidence and improve their work performance. You can demonstrate your trust in your team by allowing them independence in some aspects of their work.
14. Encourage productive meetings
Time is a valuable resource, so use it wisely. As an effective leader, you can encourage productive meetings by:
- Staying on task and keeping discussions focused
- Planning ahead to get as much as possible out of a short time
- Brainstorming creative productivity ideas or strategies with your team
15. Learn from your mistakes
Learning from past mistakes can help you determine better techniques for achieving your goals. It can also be a great way to lead by example and show your team that mistakes can be useful. When you make a mistake, engage your positive leadership mindset and consider it an opportunity for future improvement and growth.
16. Be passionate
Many effective leaders are passionate and give their best effort. When your team sees your engagement and motivation, it can encourage them to offer the same enthusiasm at work. This practice can increase productivity and enhance morale.
17. Compliment and recognize team members
Recognize the good work and strong efforts your team put into their job. Recognition can include compliments and awards. This acknowledgment can make team members feel loved and appreciated, which can increase their job satisfaction and engagement. Providing recognition for top performers can also motivate other individuals to work hard.
18. Create a fun work environment
Establish a fun work environment where team members can relax. To do this, schedule trips or games for relaxation. Teams that have these kinds of activities on their work schedule may feel happier and more productive. A fun work environment can build a strong rapport among your team members, allowing them to learn from and collaborate with each other.
19. Focus on change
As a leader, help your peers understand the objectives and goals of the company and what they can do to help achieve those goals. Once they know what changes the company is trying to achieve, they may be more enthusiastic about doing work that can contribute to its success. In this way, focus on the company’s overall vision and have the desire to bring about change.
20. Promote diversity
Effective leaders often welcome diversity and enhance the strengths that it can confer in a company. A diverse workforce that includes a wide range of personalities and backgrounds may generate new ideas and innovation, which can increase the likelihood of success. Diversity can also be a key to business accomplishments like growth and profit. As a leader, recognize the value of diversity and strive to build teams that embrace it.
21. Help to develop future leaders
Part of being an effective leader is ensuring there’s someone else who can take over your position when necessary. Your company can benefit from creating a plan that leaves no time gap between supervisors. This means training other team members on how to perform your duties. Having trustworthy, competent team members who can take on your role ensures the company can maintain its productivity in your absence.
Why is leadership advice beneficial?
Seeking advice can help you become an effective leader and make wise decisions. Specifically, seeking out new leadership knowledge and advice can help you:
- Develop better solutions to problems than you would on your own
- Add nuance and perspective to your thinking
- Overcome self-serving rationales and cognitive biases
- Experience inspiration as a leader, motivating you to create the changes you want to see in the workplace