Be a Better Leader: Take This Leadership Assessment
Posted on February 16, 2013, 9:00 pm, by michellelandis, under Leadership.Join master business coach Michelle Landis, as she strives to create success and abundance for every business owner with the ActionCOACH method of focus, accountability, and results. Visit our weekly Q & A session as Coach Michelle tackles real questions on a variety of issues - and provides you with answers that will BRING RESULTS for your company!
Question of the Week: ?I know that effective leadership is one of the most important factors in running a successful business, but what can you tell me that will help in the trenches??
Coach Michelle: It?s true - we can read a million articles on effective leadership skills and how to develop them and feel fairly prepared after doing so. But when you?re neck deep in a sticky real-world situation, or one that requires on the spot decision making, it?s easy to find the waters a bit muddy. What?s the best course of action? What action, or reaction, will cause your employees to rally with positive and creative motivation?
Much like superior athletes need to prepare themselves for events - engaging not only physical aspects, but mental and emotional energies as well, leadership is a ?whole-body practice? and requires preparation of many facets. An effective leader needs to prepare his or her ?whole self? before important meetings - or even at the onset of every business day in order to keep an atmosphere of motivation and creativity. The best way to do this is to go over a ?Leadership Assessment Checklist? frequently.
Ask yourself these 10 Essential Leadership Assessment Questions:
- Are you focused on self-improvement? I like to refer to this as ?be - know - do? attributes for leadership. The best kind of leader will continually seek to strengthen his own attributes by reading, self-study, and reflection.
- Are you technically proficient in all aspects of your business? Although delegation is essential, a truly effective leader must know their job and have a solid familiarity with their employees? jobs. If you don?t feel confident in this aspect, study up.
- Do you take responsibility for your actions? Search for ways to guide your organization to new heights. When things go wrong - as they occasionally will - do not blame others. Just own up to it. It sets an excellent example for your employees.
- Do you make sound and timely decisions? This is one area to study well, and even have a really good right-hand-man (or woman) to help you. Utilize good problem solving, decision-making, and any planning tools available to you. Hesitation or back-and-forth wavering is something you don?t want to project as a leader.
- Are you a good role model for you employees? Be sure to set an example, for they will believe what they see - and not what they hear
- Do you know your people personally and look out for their well-being? The importance of sincerely caring for your workers is quite important. It makes your business feel like a family - and families look out for one another and pick up slack if needed.
- Do you keep your people informed? Know how to communicate with your people, and other key people within the organization. Let them be ?in the know? since it promotes teamwork and cooperation.
- Have you fostered a sense of accountability in your employees? These traits will help them carry out their professional responsibilities.
- Do you ensure tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished? Effective communication with your employees or their managers is the key to this responsibility.
- Do you engage in team building? By developing team spirit, you will be able to employ your organization, department, section, etc. to its fullest capabilities.
How many of these questions have you answered ?YES? to? A score of 8 or 9 out of 10 is a pretty good indicator of solid leadership skills. But there is always room for improvement! You should periodically take this assessment to make sure you stay on track.
Remember, employees want to follow and to be guided by a leader who can clearly convey a sense of direction in business. Do you have a strong vision of the future for your company?
About the Author, Michelle Landis
Michelle is a certified Master Business Coach and owner of ActionCOACH of Greater Lehigh Valley/Berks. She is an educator and a business professional with over 25 years experience in the business world running both small and medium sized businesses. She has an extensive background in education, executive management, sales & marketing, operations and entrepreneurial pursuits that include international consulting in China, extensive teaching and educational endeavors as well as executive leadership roles with General Electric, Dun & Bradstreet and Armstrong World Industries. Her leadership skills have delivered over $58 million to the bottom line. Get a BUSINESS HEALTH CHECK with Michelle or connect with Michelle on FACEBOOK, join her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.
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