Leaders are made, not born. Working their way up through the ranks of corporate accomplishment, great leaders become great by doing, learning and experiencing many facets of the workplace before selecting the values and practices that will enable them to help others achieve success under their guidance.
This is how great leaders inspire action. Speaking from experience, they also know that building a strong team means avoiding these mistakes at all costs.
Leaders Don’t Blame Others
Great leaders know that the buck stops with them. As the ultimate ‘powers that be’ in any company or institution, anything that happens under their watch is their responsibility at the end of the day. This is why they’re in close contact with managers and know what’s happening at any given time.
Leaders Never Put Winning Ahead of Team Health
Showing their teams that winning isn’t everything is a big part of how great leaders inspire action. Instead of pushing people to exhaustion, they know that team development counts the most. Small setbacks never get in the way of a long-term vision. Winning at any cost in business is the fastest way to destroy professional relationships, alienate customers or clients and tarnish a hard-earned reputation.
Putting the team before winning inspires loyalty—and that’s what lets a team win in the long run.
Leaders Don’t Put an “I” in Team
Great leaders understand that successful companies function due to the talents and efforts of many people, not just a couple of wunderkinds. The 90s view of giving carte blanche to top performers has been curbed to make sure the company as a whole is seeing development happen in all divisions. Micromanagement is counterproductive, but letting talent develop in all areas of the company is a definite formula to encourage the success of the team.
Leaders Never Tune Out Feedback
Listening to feedback is how great leaders inspire action. This means setting aside time to hear how they can improve their products, services or processes. Good leaders know that criticism, whether from a client or a coworker, is actually an opportunity to improve and grow. Even if the suggestions or feedback comes from personnel low on the corporate ladder, a great leader treats the information with the same respect as if a paid consultant wrote it in a report.
Leaders Never Turn Away Advice
Great leaders become great because they never stop learning. The smartest people are always reading, watching, and asking questions wherever they are, be it at a holiday party or industry conference. Finding and nurturing people to answer questions they can’t is how great leaders inspire action on an everyday level. Seeking advice is something great leaders are never afraid to do.