5 Tips to Becoming a Better Leader

By Ravi On September 18, 2009 Under Entrepreneur

Are you beginning to learn that there is much more to leadership than having a title? Are you feeling like a Ferrari in second gear and ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? How would you like to become a leader people would follow out of choice instead of obligation? If you are interested in knowing the answer to these questions and more here are five tips to becoming a great leader:

• Know exactly where you are going

People will naturally follow a person who is sure of their path. Why? Because most people are not sure and are looking for a proven path which they can follow with confidence. Knowing for sure where you are headed will not only ensure that others will make room, but it will also ensure that they will follow you.

• Have clear expectations

Nothing can be more frustrating than putting your heart and soul into something, only to find that you have been going about it the wrong way. Being clear about what you expect from people will cause them to follow you with confidence because they will be certain that they are doing the right things the right way.

• Know your limitations

Nothing can be worse for a leader than to make a commitment which they can’t fulfill. If you want to maintain the trust of those who follow you than you must be able to commit only as far as your capabilities will allow you to. Knowing your own limitation will also aid you in entrusted your followers with tasks which they may be able to do better than you. It will build confidence for them and for the entire team.

• Practice what you preach

As simple as this may sound, the majority of leadership failures come from having expectations of others which you yourself don’t live up to. Double standards are a sign that you are viewing leadership as a position of privilege instead of responsibility. If you must, ask for your team to hold you accountable. This will show them that you are human and value them as peers and teammates rather than servants.

• Speak about everyone as if they were present

This is HUGE when it comes to building loyalty. Anyone with a bit of common sense knows that if you badmouth another person in their absence that you are likely to do the same when they are not around. Pretending that everyone whom you speak about is in earshot of you will build your credibility and respect with everyone around you.

So those are five tips for becoming a better leader. Make sure that you start putting them into practice today!

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7 comments - add yours
John VinceNo Gravatar

September 18, 2009

These are some great tips. A lot of it is common sense, but it is things that we often forget about. Ferraris are nice, haha!
John Vince´s last blog ..Red Sox Tigers Brawl Video Shows Youkilis and Porcello My ComLuv Profile

I was always under the notion that leaders were born and not made?
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Blane BullmanNo Gravatar

October 28, 2009

“Are you feeling like a Ferrari in second gear” I like that. I think we are all like that, we have the potential but we need to make the effort.

That reminds me of Christopher Columbus who was sure he’d find land and that’s why people followed and went with him.

All of those points are excellent Ravi.
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Nicole from Background CheckNo Gravatar

October 30, 2009

One of the best advises and ideas i’ve come across with!

Keep up the good work and please write more great tips. Looking forward on reading more of your articles.

Leadership ProgramsNo Gravatar

January 11, 2010

Many say leadership skills come from within, however, I believe while some traits are bred, there are a ton that can be learned.
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J from Learn WordPressNo Gravatar

January 21, 2010

I agree that one of the biggest steps is making sure you know where you are going. It’s pretty much impossible to lead people if you have no idea where you are trying to get to.

Catalin from Ferrari F50No Gravatar

January 23, 2010

It’s very important to begin with a very good plan. I’ve managed in the past few little business and I can tell you: without a very good plan, any business is already unsuccessfully. The plan needs to be realized and focused just to the lowest values possible, because is difficult to predict exactly the success and the in success rate must be integrated in plan.
Catalin@Ferrari F50´s last blog ..Koenigsegg My ComLuv Profile

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