Part of being a natural leader is the ability to motivate those who work for you. These ideas might help.
Listen: You can’t possibly understand the things those around you care about without listening. Evaluate and weigh their words carefully. Don’t let your personal preferences get in the way. You don’t actually have to accept their ideas, but you might learn something by listening.
Be Honest: Lie and you will get only lies in return. Offer the truth, and the people who work for you will trust you, and they will be honest with you in return. Truth creates a much stronger structure to work from.
Foster Enthusiasm: We often let our own concerns stand in the way of great ideas. We tend to wear down the ideas of others, but allowing those ideas to come to light and to develop may not only increase productivity, it might actually help your business grow.
Eliminate Negativity: One of the easiest ways to kill a strong organizational structure is to become negative. Want to kill your company? Start berating employees, insult them and their ideas at every turn of the river, and be sure to demean them at every opportunity.
Be Confident: Remember, you’re the leader. You sometimes have to make difficult decisions, don’t let them see you sweat those decisions. You’ll build a far stronger staff if you believe in your own choices.
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I think you should reconsider having confidence on the list. Being confident does not necessarily lead to inspired people. It can definitely lead to hearing a lot of “yes’s”. In its place I would add , building a system that nourishes self esteem in others and yourself. This ensures that you will receive the valuable feedback that is required for leadership.
I disagree, Chris.
Confidence in one’s decisions is one of the most vital traits of a good leader. Or at least make it look like one is confident.
It should be at the top of the list or maybe just behind honesty. (ie Integrity)
Confidence where people only say “yes” isn’t very confident. It’s a sign that you are being too heavy handed, perhaps even insecure that success is possible. Leading means having confidence in yourself AND others. “My way or the highway” just doesn’t cut it anymore.
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