Leadership is not a table for one

Becoming a leader may have been your career goal or, instead, your current leadership role was thrust upon you. You were thrust into your current leadership position.  Perhaps you are now striving to become a leader. Regardless of where you are in your leadership journey, there are few things to know. Whether you are in a position of leadership or are planning to be, let’s talk about what good, thriving leadership looks like. 

Before we get into what a good leader is, let’s talk about what a good leader isn’t.  One of the misconceptions about being a strong leader is that you have to make all of the decisions and know all of the answers. The truth is, as a leader, your greatest asset is your team. You don’t have to be a “super-leader.”  While you may have many answers, and you may be the one who makes the final decision, take a breath. Because of the rich and diverse experience of those in your company, your team can be your most valuable tool in the decision-making process. As a leader, you don’t have to ride the “solo train.”    

So, what is a “good” leader, you ask? Good leaders must possess certain behavioral qualities, such as the ability to communicate effectively, to know when to delegate tasks and responsibilities, and to have the confidence to make progressive decisions. In addition, a good leader should also build a toolbox of best leadership practices.  This toolbox should include people management skills such as being authentic, seeking out employees’ strengths, encouraging development, etc.  In this Sprigghr article, the writer lists and describes some helpful tips on being a good leader.

To bolster your toolbox, Bright Places has developed a Leadership Journal to help keep best leadership practices fresh in your mind and active on your to-do list. This year-long journal helps you develop weekly goals that align with critical leadership principles to sharpen your skills in those areas. 

Good leadership requires balance. While it’s true that we, as leaders, learn practical skills from our educational training and work experience, keep in mind that we, too, can still learn much from our team. I, personally, believe it’s very important to be open-minded and, most of all, willing to grow. When it comes to leadership, there’s no middle ground. Good leaders constantly seek growth, while weak leaders settle for the status quo. What kind of leader do you want to be?