Leadership Skills PDF

What is leadership? Leadership is any behaviour that influences the actions and attitudes of others to achieve certain results. A leader is a person who has a deep-rotted commitment to achieve a goal or vision and the skills to make it happen. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do som...

What is leadership? Leadership is any behaviour that influences the actions and attitudes of others to achieve certain results. A leader is a person who has a deep-rotted commitment to achieve a goal or vision and the skills to make it happen. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower A leader is someone who: • has a goal, vision, or belief, and can effectively guide or include individuals, groups, or teams to achieve it. • makes a positive impact on the people around them. • enables others to act by modeling the way • can see how things can be improved • is empathetic and can connect with people to be successful • is selfless and thinks about the team • pushes teamwork rather than individual achievements Qualities of a good leader: • leads by example • demonstrates responsibility, accountability, and integrity • communicates effectively • uses good judgment to make difficult decisions • inspires others to make progress and achieve success • empowers people to be creative and innovative • competent, skillful, and intelligent • positive committed, and passionate Leadership skills: • creative • decisive • intelligent • organized • persuasive • ability to delegate • manages time well • makes wise • decisions • communicates effectively • solves problems • builds relationships • knowledgeable about the work What everyday leaderships looks like: • setting and achieving goals • motivating others to work as a team • maintaining a growth mindset when faced with challenges • recognizing and celebrating people’s accomplishments and successes • being pleasant when you are angry • listening attentively to other people’s concerns Leadership is important because: • It inspires people to work together towards a common goal. • It inspires others to reach their potential and achieve high levels of success. • It shleps ensure that every is “on the same page”. • It helps remove barriers so people can make progress. • It provides people the right tools to help them achieve and be successful. • It ensures productivity. Leadership skills needed for workplace success: • Communication • Problem-Solving • Delegating • Critical Thinking • People Management • Judgement And Decision-Making • Collaboration • Responsibility • Negotiation Leadership Skills breakdown: Critical Leadership Skills Communication Leaders express ideas, listen carefully to questions and concenters, and share information with a multitude of audiences, via face-to-face conversations, phone, email, online meetings, and social media. What it looks like: • Actively listening/being attentive • Giving blame-free feedback • Listening openly to opposing views and developing a mutual understanding • Conveying ideas clearly and effectively Problem Solving Leaders minimize the occurrences of problems and successfully handle and resolve issues in a respectful, fair, and optimistic way. What it looks like: • Identifying, defining, analyzing situations, and developing solutions • Implementing solid strategies to solve problems • Eliminating barriers and challenges that can delay progress Delegating responsibilities Leaders identify the skills of team members of employees and assign tasks or responsibilities to each person based his or her skillset. What it looks like: • Assignment responsibility or tasks that matches member/employee’s strengths and skillsets • Understanding team member/employee’s strengths and weaknesses • Developing people’s individual capabilities and skills • Collectively achieving success Critical Thinking Leaders understand the connections between ideas, identify the relevance of arguments, detect mistakes in reasoning, and make proper decision to make the desirable outcome more likely to happen. What it looks like: • Thinking that is purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed • Considering all available information, facts, and valid inferences before making a decision • Using evidence to evaluate, analyze, and solve problems People Management Leaders inspire and motivate individuals, employees, or team memberswhile helping them grow and develop their skills. What it looks like: • Using kindness, respect, and empathy to hep others overcome obstacles • Giving people the tools they need to develop and improve performances • Mediating and resolving conflicts between people • Communicating clearly with people Judgement and Decision-Making Leaders make well-informed, wise decisions based on relevant information to produce desired outcomes. What it looks like: • Making determinations and timely decisions based on relevant information • Examining problems and possible solutions to help make the best decisions • Navigating challenging situations • Decisions made in the best interest of everyone Collaboration Leaders work well and productively with others, motivate others to join an effort (or cause), and interact with other to resolve conflict. What it looks like: • Working alongside team members • Decisions are made as a team • People working together to accomplish a shared goal • Everyone making a meaningful contribution to projects Responsibility Leaders are accountable, work hard to achieve goals, are counted on by others, aim to solve problems, and make wise decisions. What it looks like: • Staying on top of problems and not assuming someone else will step in • Seeking solutions to problems instead of reacting • Following through on promises • Completing tasks correctly and on time • Doing the right thing Negotiation Leaders fin an agreeable solution to a problem, resolve conflicts, and settle differences in a way where everyone involved is satisfied. What it looks like: • Reaching an agreeable solution • Different opinions and perspectives are considered • Resolving differences between people • Solutions that result to both sides being satisfied (Win-Win Outcome) LEADER vs. BOSS Leader Boss ➢ Says “We” ➢ Says “I” ➢ Develops people ➢ Uses people ➢ Gives credit ➢ Takes credit ➢ Earn respect ➢ Generates feat ➢ Gives advice ➢ Criticizes people ➢ Works alongside people ➢ Tell people what to do ➢ Listens toe people speak ➢ Expects people to listen and carry ➢ Fixe the problem out commands ➢ Treats everyone fairly and equally ➢ Blames other for problems ➢ Has favourites How to Develop Your Leadership Skills • Set concrete goals and execute them • Practice analyzing situation and figuring out courses of action • Take on more projects and responsibilities • Practice time management • Inspire an motivate others to achieve goals • Practice perspective-taking • Invite feedback and use it to make improvements • Show up to classes and meetings on time • Admit when you fail and move one • Resolve conflicts • Take risks Leaders are NOT born leaders. Benefits of Leadership • Increases responsibility • Nurtures future leaders • Improves self-esteem • Increases productivity • Wiser decisions are made • Goals are achieved • Relationships are strengthened What Lack of Leadership Looks Like • Failing to set clear goals for teams • Insulting or degrading people • Faling to take decisive actions • Acting tough or lacking empathy • Acting inappropriately or exhibiting behaviour that you wouldn’t expect from team members Final thoughts • No one is born a leader. • Leadership skills can be developed. • Leadership provides direction in an organization and people in it. • Leadership influences and motivates a group of people towards a common goal. • Leadership can help people achieve new levels of success.