Steve Jobs, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Warren Buffett, Estée Lauder. These legendary leaders have left an impressive trail of success and giant footsteps on the path to leadership that many corporate leaders wish to emulate.
How can you evaluate your own effectiveness as a leader?
Is it possible to find out how successful your efforts have been?
Effective leaders are generally considered to be positive people. This doesn’t mean that they are smiling all the time, or ignore reality, but it does mean that they typically look for the best in situations. Positive leaders are more likely to focus on transformative leadership – perfect for inspiring and motivating their teams.
Does this describe you?
Effective leaders embrace change. More than simply chasing the newest novelty, a leader who can adjust and pivot easily is likely to be more effective. New technologies, dealing with a changing workforce and other outside influences require leaders to be experts at managing change. Do you welcome change, or does it throw you for a loop?
Another essential trait of effective leadership is the ability to set a vision, and motivate a team to pursue it. The legendary leadership of Richard Branson is full of stories where he set an ‘audacious goal’ and then rallied his team to chase after it wholeheartedly. Do you set big goals for your team, and are they willing to go after them?
Some of the most effective leaders adopt a ‘first one in, last one out’ mind-set. You don’t need to be chained to your desk, however, do you have a reputation for working hard? Are you thought of as someone who is willing to pitch in and get things done as needed, or are you more known for long lunches and extended weekends?
Being busy and being productive don’t necessarily go hand in hand.
Leaders who delegate effectively are able to focus their energy and time towards business growth and business strategy. As a leader, you’ll need to empower your staff to effectively bring your ideas to life. Your effectiveness as a leader diminishes the more you get caught in the weeds. This means less micromanaging and more effective delegation.
Integrity is essential for successful leadership. Leaders who consistently support the corporate philosophy through their actions and who are more concerned with integrity than success will be far more effective than their counterparts. Avoiding the traps of micromanagement and focusing on themselves, effective leaders act with consistent integrity and ethics. Do you consider yourself to be full of integrity?
Interested in learning more about effective leadership? Check out our blog, where we explore new topics regularly.