Read more about Personal Development
This is why developing this all-important skill should be at the top of your priority list. This post will guide you on the practical steps to becoming a better leader that is relevant in your workplace.
1. Invest In Your Growth Through Continuous Learning
Leadership is a journey, not a destination. In 2022, I heard Fela Durotoye say, “If you are still doing the job you’re hired to do, the way you are hired to do it, then you’re not creating any value.” One of the ways to ensure you’re continually creating value within your workplace is to ensure you’re growing. As Tony Elumelu often emphasizes, “The more you learn, the more you earn.” Professionals who are constantly learning are better equipped to adapt to change and to lead effectively. Attend leadership seminars, get a mentor, enrol in online courses, and read widely. Books like “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey can provide you with great insights into leadership.2. Improve Your Communication Skills
Good communication is very important to becoming an effective leader. This is because you need communication to articulate your vision clearly and inspire your team to buy into your ideas. And for you to continue to rise in your profession, you must improve your communication skills. Better communicators are often perceived to be better leaders and also more efficient at their work.3. Develop Your Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EI) is simply the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions and those of others. In leadership, you don’t lead things or projects, you lead people. To lead people, who can display different emotions, you must have a high degree of emotional intelligence.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Leaders with high emotional intelligence can navigate difficult situations calmly, build strong relationships, and create a positive work environment. To improve your EI, become more self-aware especially as it relates to your emotional triggers, practice empathy, and learn how to manage stress effectively.
4. Improve Your Personal Leadership
Leadership begins with you. When you can effectively lead yourself as an individual, you will easily earn the trust and confidence of others to lead them too. This is why you need to ensure you improve your personal leadership. One of the important things that show how well you lead yourself is how you manage yourself and prioritize tasks over a given period.5. Learn to Lead by Example
Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about showing them how it’s done. If you want your team to be punctual, you need to be on time. If you want them to be hardworking, you must demonstrate dedication. Your actions as a leader set the tone for your team’s behaviour.6. Seek Feedback and Be Open to Change
Another important way to develop your leadership skills as a professional is to continually seek feedback and be open to change. Seeking feedback from your team, peers, and mentors can provide you with valuable insights into your leadership style. Don’t be afraid to ask, “How can I improve?” It shows humility and a commitment to bettering yourself.7. Build Strong Networks
Leadership is not just about what you know; it’s also about who you know. Surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals can expose you to new ideas and opportunities. Join professional networks such as the Nigerian Institute of Management or attend industry conferences. Networking allows you to learn from others, share knowledge, and build relationships that can support your leadership journey.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Concluding Thoughts
Leadership goes beyond occupying a position or the title you have in your workplace. It is about the influence you create. With the right skills, you can become one of the stand-out leaders in not just your workplace or industry but even in society. This is why developing your leadership skills is important. And it is one investment that will not just pay you now but will continue paying you all through your life.Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
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