When it comes to a fulfilling career, what immediately comes to your mind? Many people might think about leadership, as well as a position where they’re the ones who get to have more control. But it’s not so much about control, rather, it’s about creating an impact- and that’s what leaders do: they make an impact! If you think about it, leadership is more of an art than a science.
There’s no one-size-fits-all checklist to determine if you’re a good leader, but there are key questions that can help you reflect on your leadership style and effectiveness. Have you ever considered yourself to be a leader? Is it a good role for you? Honestly, being a good leader isn’t always as simple as just attending a strategy workshop. While sure, this is something that’s absolutely needed for developing good leadership; this is only one piece of a large puzzle that makes up what a good leader is. So, what type of effort have you put in for being a good leader?
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to just take some time out once to assess your leadership, which can lead to more meaningful engagements and better results. It’s all in the questions you ask yourself, so, with that said, here are some thought-provoking questions you might consider to gauge your leadership prowess.
How well do I communicate my vision?
The biggest thing that separates leaders and managers is the vision! A clear vision is the heartbeat of any successful team,. So, as a leader, it’s your job to not only have a vision but to communicate it effectively so everyone is on the same page. So, you’ll need to as yourself: If you can clearly articulate the team’s goals?
How approachable am I?
You’re not only directing as a leader; you’re also going to need to engage. With that all said, you’ll need to consider whether your team members feel comfortable coming to you with their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Basically, you’re not a good leader if you’re not approachable. There has to be open communication since this is exactly what leads to innovative solutions and stronger team cohesion.
Do I listen as much as I speak?
So, this basically sums up being a good listener. It’s assumed that a leader does a lot of talking, but what about listening? Great leaders listen to understand, not just to respond. So, you’ll really need to reflect on whether you actively listen to your team’s input and whether their ideas influence your decisions.
How am I handling feedback?
You have to keep in mind that feedback is a two-way street. So, you’re going to have to think about how you react to feedback, especially when it’s critical. Yes, that does mean that things will get uncomfortablt and unpleasant, but that’s nothing more than the reality though.
A good leader sees feedback as an opportunity for growth and is willing to make changes based on constructive criticism. But when it comes to criticism, it’s the same too: you’re not being mean, and it’s not a vendetta, so you can’t pull a Simon Cowell and say someone was dreadful.