Diane Birch Business Coaching Solutions

Fifteen Tips to being a great leader

Being a great leader and being respected by your people comes down to how you behave. Following these tips will help you in your struggle for successful leadership:

  Step One

Have integrity - the most important requirement; without it everything else is for nothing

  Step Two

Be very grown-up - never get emotionally negative with people - no shouting or ranting, even if you feel very upset or angry

  Step Three

Lead by example - always be seen to be working harder and more determinedly than anyone else

  Step Four

Help alongside your people when they need it

  Step Five

Fairness - treat everyone equally and on merit. Be firm and clear in dealing with bad or unethical behaviour

  Step Six

Listen to and really understand people, and show them that you understand (this doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone - understanding is different to agreeing)

  Step Seven

Never self-promote. Back-up and support your people when they need it

  Step Eight

Be decisive - even if the decision is to delegate or do nothing if appropriate - be seen to be making fair and balanced decisions

  Step Nine

Be honest but sensitive in the way that you give bad news or criticism

  Step Ten

Always do what you say you will do - keep your promises

  Step Eleven

Work hard to become expert at what you do technically, and understand your people's technical abilities and challenges

  Step Twelve

Always accentuate the positive (say 'do it like this', not 'don't do it like that')

  Step Thirteen

Smile and encourage others to be happy and enjoy themselves

  Step Fourteen

Relax - break down the barriers and the leadership awe - give your people and yourself time to get to know and respect each other

  Step Fifteen

Involve your people by asking for their opinions and views, let them try their ideas out, even if they make mistakes be positive, the best way to learn is to do. Encourage your people to grow, to learn and to take on as much as they want to, at a pace they can handle

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