ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Leadership proverb:  He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk. 

The great author and leader, John Maxwell states, "Everything rises and fall on leadership. Your leadership skills determine the level of your success – and the success of those who work around you."

The world needs strong, competent leaders now more than ever before.  Progress can happen only when someone assumes a leadership role – when someone decides that there is a problem, a need or an injustice, and takes action to solve the problem, fulfill the need or correct the injustice. 

You, too, can be a leader.

What makes a leader great? There are six essential skills that all leaders must have.

 Skill #1 Vision: 

1. A Leader has a clearly defined vision of what they would like to have happen. They understand where they are now and decide what needs to be done to make their vision become a reality.

2. Leaders are knowledgeable about current events in their field of interest and in the world, by reading the paper, watching the news, reading trade journals, listening to conference calls, talking to other leaders, seeking their input and viewpoints.

3. Good leaders are proactive, not reactive.  Do you predict possible problems you and your team may encounter?  Can you plan how to overcome them?

4. A good leader is knowledgeable about the work to be done.  She knows her job. If she does not know or understand something about the job, she researches to understand.

Skill #2: Direction

1. The leader knows where the team is supposed to go. It is the leader’s responsibility to get the team to the correct destination.

2. The leader knows how to get to the correct place and communicates that to the team.

3. The leader sets and reminds the team of the goals.  People work more effectively and enthusiastically when they have specific results to achieve. 

4. A leader delegates specific responsibilities and the authority to act to capable people and makes sure they understand priorities so they can be productive.

Skill#3:  Persuasion - According to Dwight Eisenhower, The best leaders inspire people to perform beyond what they thought they were capable of.  It is the ability to get other people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it for you.

1. Leaders persuade others to see, understand and believe in their vision.  

2. A leader projects self-confidence.  Team members must trust and accept their leaders, and this depends on how leaders present themselves.  The leader cannot afford to appear lacking in confidence.

3. A leader communicates the big picture.  For people to work well as a team, each needs to understand the contribution, direction and priorities of the team and the progress being made. 

4. Reminds team members of goals to keep them on the correct path.

5. Communicates one-to-one. The ability to communicate well is critical.  You must be able to listen effectively and clearly express your own ideas.  Can you put people at ease?  Do you help them to express themselves clearly? Are they comfortable in coming to you with problems as well as with good news?

6. To be a credible leader, you must stand behind your decisions and see them through to completion.  You must also make it clear to team members that you expect them to carry out actins once you have made the decision.

1.  A leader keeps informed on progress.  In order to detect potential problems early.

2. Leaders have many resources at their disposal to help them achieve goals, including people, money and equipment. Leaders must accomplish the most with the resources they have.

3. A leader must have fresh innovative ideas to solve many of the problems they encounter, and they must be analytical thinkers as well.

4. Leaders keep their minds on priorities and avoid wasting time on less important tasks.

Team members will be more willing to help if they personally benefit from doing so.  Leaders are aware of the personal needs, and goals of team members and provide opportunities to fulfill these needs and goals.

1. Leaders recognize potential in their team members and learn what gifts and talents their team posses.

2. Leaders provide team members with learning experiences and challenges that help them to grow as individuals.

3. When team members are unskilled, leaders teach them what they need to know and do to perform tasks to the leader’s standards.  Leaders also work with team members whose performances do not meet expectations, gently pointing out problem areas and coaching them to improve performance.

4. Leaders build team spirit. Leaders create and maintain a spirit of teamwork among team members through individual contacts, group meetings and other activities.

Everyone wants to be appreciated. Everyone wants to be recognized. In the business world the appreciation takes the form of a paycheck, a raise, a bonus. In volunteer organizations, where I’ve spent most of my time, you have to reach for non-monetary forms of pay. But never underestimate the need for pay. How do you accomplish that?

1. The leader gives praise and positive recognition.  Leaders show team members they care about them.  Through the simplest of actions – a greeting, a smile, a few words – leaders tell team members they are important. In return, the loyalty, dedication and productivity of the team increases.