Whether you are a new or experienced leader, you can learn many important lessons from serving in leadership roles. These include a commitment to self-reflection, clear communication, empathy, and humility. These practices will help you become more effective and successful.
Humility
Practicing humility is a great way to enhance your leadership skills. It opens you up to learning from others and improves your relationships. Moreover, lowering your guard and sharing your mistakes might help you connect with others in ways you never imagined. Stories you can look up to who serve great leaders like Bashar Hanna, a higher education administrator and a President of Universities.
Several studies have found that humble leaders are better suited to fostering trust. They also make a better team leader. They listen more effectively and focus everyone on the organization’s goals. Research suggests that humility may be an essential attribute of top performers.
One study examined the relationship between self-reported humility and followers’ perceptions of servant leadership. They also explored the relationship between humility and follower job satisfaction.
The most effective and efficient way to practice humility is to ask for advice and guidance from those who know you well. They can give you a different perspective and help you to see your strengths.
Empathy
Having empathy when serving leadership roles can help you build trust and improve relationships. It can also give you insight into the thoughts of your co-workers and make you a better leader.
Empathy for your employees can increase their productivity and engage them more. It can also inspire them to come up with better solutions.
In addition, having empathy for your team members can make them more resilient, which increases their ability to withstand difficult circumstances. It can also help them feel more valued, which makes them more likely to stick around for the long haul.
Top organizations are discovering that empathy leads to more significant profits, more satisfied customers, and more engaged employees. It also builds a stronger workplace culture, which can benefit your business.
Clear Communication
Whether it’s a high-level executive or your average Joe on the job, you can count on clear communication to make the day a little more bearable. The best way to do this is to assemble a squad of trusted communicators: the more, the merrier, the better for productivity. The big challenge is to keep the egos in check. There’s a time and place for a formal introduction, but the old-school approach works wonders when the going gets tougher. This is especially true when the team consists of smartly selected employees with similar interests. Bringing them all together under one roof is no small feat, but putting them all on the same page for a single task makes for a smoother transition.
Dedicated 1:1 Time
Dedicated one-on-one time with your employees is a good idea. You’ll learn about their goals and objectives and get a sneak peek at their coping mechanisms. You’ll also be able to see which projects have the most potential for growth.
The best time to schedule your meetings is in the evening. This gives you plenty of time to tinker with your next big idea. You should also take notes during your meetings, as they’ll serve as a reference point. You’ll want to learn about your team’s most significant concerns and brainstorm a few solutions. You’ll be rewarded with better service in the long run.
Organize your next meeting around a specific topic, and you’ll be set. For example, if your employees have a project near completion, you can schedule a weekly catch-up and ensure everyone’s on the same page. This is also a great way to avoid any potential resentments.
Self-reflection
Developing a sense of self-reflection is an essential step in becoming a leader. Not only does it make you more aware of your strengths and weaknesses, but it can also help you to become more effective in serving others.
When leaders develop their reflective practice, they notice shifts in their awareness and purpose. Consequently, they have increased capacity for leading change.
Developing a sense of self-reflection can start with a simple self-questioning exercise. This exercise will give you a clearer picture of whether you are doing the right things and if your institution is on the right path.
You can also use various journaling tools to write about your leadership attributes and achievements. This practice can energize, inspire, and make you more influential.