9 steps to becoming a better leader

1. Show passion

If you want your employees to be dedicated and committed to the vision of the company, you have to remember to be dedicated yourself. You want your employees to believe in the company, so don’t be afraid to show them how passionate you are about company goals.

2. Be personal and share lessons

Help your team avoid mistakes by sharing with them the lessons you’ve learned that got you to where you are. Never be afraid to give constructive feedback. Teaching is not only valuable for the one learning the lesson, but also helps you hone leadership skills through communicating and connecting.

3. Get to know your team and learn from them

Getting to know your employees builds loyalty and trust and lets them know that you care about their personal well-being. As that trust builds, it opens up lines of communication that can prove valuable, especially with making strategic decisions. Just because you’re in charge doesn’t mean you have all the answers.

4. Encourage and reward creativity

Show your staff that you’re open to ideas. Give positive feedback and constructive advice. Reward employees for thinking outside the box and remember that a little praise can go a long way. Another benefit is you now have a team that is expanding their limits and increasing their value as employees.

5. Earn your team’s respect

Always lead by example. As a team member it’s a lot easier to get behind a leader who is in the trenches with you. Understanding what your team does and how hard they work will help develop that respect. Also remember that honesty leads to credibility with your team. If you realize you’ve messed up, admitting it quickly will be admired.

6. Be an effective communicator

You can build trust by being approachable and encouraging openness in your office. Listen and give your attention. Employees appreciate a leader who keeps open the lines of communication.

7. Keep your thoughts and attitude positive

Being positive usually isn’t hard, but when things aren’t going your way, it can be tough to stay upbeat. Try to keep a positive view even when things are tough, so your team can embrace their failures and learn from them. A few words of encouragement and an optimistic attitude can turn things around quickly.

8. Be you

You can’t be something that you’re not. If you want to be a good leader, you have to be yourself. Take a look in the mirror and figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Let your team know who you are and encourage them to help you in your weaker areas.

9. Motivate

There may not be a more important leadership trait than being a good motivator. When you can inspire, you can transform your team into a well-oiled machine. Raw talent is nice but when a team is motivated they can be unstoppable.