7 Everyday steps to Becoming a more Effective Leader

by Margaret Considine, CEO, EQuita Consulting

Great leaders tend to have great habits, disciplines, they understand that positive action will get them the results that they want. A leader doesn’t take the easy route, he takes the right route. Leadership is about inspiring action, lighting a fire in others to fulfil a vision. If you would like to become a more effective leader, here are some steps that you should take to help you stand out from the crowd.

1. Get Organised

Getting organised may seem like a minor action when it comes to successful leadership, but being in control of your tasks, your goals and your personal life can be the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. When you are organised you don’t waste time looking for things or deciding what needs to be done next. Your priorities and goals are clear and you know how to focus to get things done. As a leader it is essential that you manage yourself like you would like your team to manage themselves, being in control of your daily work is a great way to show them how things should be done. People who are disorganised tend to suffer from more stress and anxiety so if you want to be a relaxed focused leader start by getting organised and taking control of your life and work.

2. Get Connected

Once your life is more organised you will find you have more time to focus on the important things, networking is one of them. In Keith Ferrazzi’s book “Never eat alone” he outlines the importance of creating and nurturing your network. We all know that people do business with people they know and like so building a network is an essential part of successful business. Both physical meetings and using LinkedIn are essential for staying in contact with your network. Remember your network is more about quality than quantity, spreading your business cards and moving on to the next group is not networking. Forging relationships with influencers is a better use of your valuable time.

3. Get Savvy

Knowledge and skills are an essential element in successful leadership. To gain people’s respect you must have the knowledge and expertise to give you credibility. If your skills need updating, take the plunge and do a course, buy a book or take an online course. Keeping abreast of what’s going on in your industry should be an ongoing task. Subscribe to Harvard Business Review for the latest in Management and Leadership thinking or check out Book Buzz for the latest business book reviews and recommendations.

4. Get Fit

Richard Branson was once asked, “What is your number one Productivity Tip?” His answer was “Working out”. Branson reckons he gets an extra four hours productivity each day from his morning workout. We all know the benefits of exercise, the increased energy, reduced stress, combined with the welcome release of feel good chemicals in the brain. If you don’t already have an exercise routine, make exercise a part of everyday. Exercise is a habit the vast majority of successful Leaders share.

5. Become a Better Listener

Just like exercise, communication is a vital skill in business and in life. Good listeners make better Leaders and Lovers. A lot of leaders tend to speak more than they listen, this is usually an attempt to impart their knowledge and wisdom with the rest of the world. If this is you, the first step is recognising it. It’s time to start listening to your team, learn to coach rather than preach. By listening more you will build better relationships and gain trust. Listening shows you care and will help you to understand your employees and your team mates. Everyone will gain as a result.

6. Get Clear about your Values

Becoming a better listener can help to understand others but understanding yourself is also very important for a leader. Your values can help you to understand who you are and what makes you tick. Spend some time identifying your values and ensuring that you are living congruently with those values. When you are living true to your values, you are living authentically, authenticity is a valuable trait, much admired by many. Authenticity fosters trust, and trust is crucial for creating high performance teams.

7. Always Take Responsibility

Far too often we blame our circumstances or worse still we blame others for our own shortcomings. Leadership involves taking responsibility, responsibility for your own actions as well as the actions of others. Start today by becoming aware of the times you tend to pass the buck; I would exercise but, I would have delivered on time but, it’s time to take control and responsibility for your life and the future success of your career.

So if you want to become a better leader, start today by taking the steps recommended above. These steps will help you create the habits that will contribute to your future success. No more excuses, it’s time to take action.

About the author
Margaret Considine is the CEO of EQuita Consulting Ltd and is an Associate Faculty member of the IMI for the past twelve years. In September 2010 Margaret was appointed an Associate Faculty member of NUI Maynooth. Margaret is a vastly experienced Management Consultant who works with some of the major companies in Ireland and Europe assisting them in management development, negotiations, coaching, mediations & HR / legal complaints. Margaret has extensive experience in both private & public sector clients.