Two Things Good Leaders Do
What makes a successful leader? Head to any bookstore and you will find hundreds of books written on the topic. Authors have dissected leadership into every form and mannerism you can imagine. If you ask this question to random people on the street, you'll likely get a variety of answers. They will give you the rundown of all the good and bad traits and characteristics of leaders they have worked for in the past. I have a problem of trying to oversimplify everything, but I think you can distill leadership down to a few two key qualities that all successful leaders share: the ability to develop people and the ability to influence change. Let's take a closer look at each of these qualities and how they can help leaders achieve success.
The Ability to Develop People
One of the most important keys to successful leadership is the ability to develop other people. A good leader is always looking for ways to help those around them grow and reach their full potential. This means providing mentorship, offering constructive feedback, and creating opportunities for learning and development. When leaders invest in the growth of others, they create a more positive and productive work environment—one that is more likely to lead to success.
You probably have heard that good leaders create other leaders…while it may seem contradictory, I don’t believe this is true. Mostly because I think it is too narrow of a view. Good leaders should develop people that aspire to leadership. Good leaders should identify leadership potential in those that have it and develop it absolutely.
This way of thinking, however, leaves out the very important work of leaders to develop those people that are “good” right where they are. A good leader can develop their team even if none of those team members aspire to leadership.
The Ability to Influence Change
Another crucial quality of successful leaders is the ability to influence change. This doesn't mean that leaders should always be trying to push forward new initiatives or make drastic changes; rather, it means that they should be open to new ideas and willing to adapt their approach as needed.
Good leaders listen to those around them, consider different points of view, and make decisions that are in the best interest of their team or organization. This type of flexible thinking is essential for achieving long-term success. This is true from a tactical standpoint as much as it is from an interpersonal standpoint.
If you are in a leadership role, think of a person on your team that you believe has potential so much more than they are capable of now. The thing holding this person back could be immaturity, ignorance, lack of awareness of others, low EQ, etc. The greatest calling for a leader is to influence that person to make the change necessary to become the best possible version of themselves. Maybe over time the person can and would figure it out on their own…but true leadership is expediting that journey through influence. Influence not commanding, reprimanding, or demanding the change.
Using your positional authority to coerce that change is a shortcut. Newsflash: Shortcuts in leadership NEVER. EVER. work. Stand in the gap. Be the bridge that helps connect people from where they are to where they are capable of being.
Key Takeaways
The keys to successful leadership are the ability to develop people and the ability to influence change. These two qualities are essential for creating a positive work environment and driving long-term success. Leaders who focus on developing their team members and their ability to influence will be well on their way to achieving greatness.
Would love to carry on this conversation further. Reach out and let me know what you think!
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