“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”
-Vince Lombardi
People who inspire keep an organization together and working progressively towards the goal and can be termed as Leaders. Be it the low-level managers, mid-level managers, or the top brass, leadership qualities are the key that leads them to success. But these qualities are often acquired through training and observation.
While some of the evident and easily visible leadership qualities are self-management, perseverance, and effective communication and management of the community, there is much more that is required to become an effective leader.
Challenges in Leadership:
Every professional in any kind of managerial capacity face a fair few leadership challenges that can be summarised as:
1. Way of Life – Humility, Honesty, and Integrity are the core characteristics that attract people towards a person and are a must for a leader. These characteristics not only help you in the long run in avoiding adverse situations but also give you an undisputable reputation among peers and clients.
2. Developing Managerial Skills and Effectiveness – In addition to having the skills related to the domain you are working in, there is also a basic set of managerial skills that must be learned to manage properly and increase your effectiveness at work. These skills are:
a. Time management
b. Strategic thinking
c. Prioritization
d. Decision-making
e. Researching the knowhow of the job
3. Inspiring People – This skill in a manager leads to the success of the entire team. Making a professional rapport with your team and keeping their needs in mind is the first task in the direction of inspiring people. But every team and its members are unique in terms of skills and thinking. So, the leader’s challenge is to find the ideal way to inspire the team.
4. Developing Long-term Employees – It is a manager’s responsibility to build the workforce that will take the organization forward in the coming years. Every employee has different capabilities, so the challenge becomes how to mentor people on various job tasks and coach them to make better decisions and refine their judgement.
5. Leading the Team – The initial task of a new manager is to team development, team-building, and team management. Some specific challenges often faced in this area are:
a. Leading a big team
b. Providing support to the members
c. Instilling pride in the team
d. Taking over a new team
6. Leading the Change – Every managerial decision, every corporate policy change, and every client requirement lead to some changes that need to be understood, managed, and implemented. The challenge is also to mitigate the consequences of these changes and overcome the initial resistance.
7. Managing Internal Stakeholders – Every organization has its own social and political structure. To keep things moving efficiently and progress further, a manager not only needs to manage the relationships with peers, superiors, and subordinates but also gain managerial support and a positive outlook from groups, departments, and individuals.
How to Tackle Challenges in Leadership:
The aforementioned challenges are commonplace in the corporate world and are tackled by the most effective managers by a concrete 4-step process:
1. Establishing Goals – Setting clear goals can reduce the number of distractions you face in the form of urgent issues arising unexpectedly. Although such surprises cannot be avoided entirely, goals provide a roadmap to help you stay focused on the priorities. Use the SMART method to make the goals:
a. Specific – Make a detailed description of the goal and what should be done to achieve it.
b. Measurable – Set quantifiable targets and decide upon the metrics to measure the work done.
c. Attainable – Figure out if the goal is achievable in terms of capabilities and resources.
d. Realistic – See what you realistically need to finish the task timeline in terms of resources, time, and talent.
e. Timely – Create specific milestones and the deadlines for their completion.
2. Delegating the Tasks – Empowering colleagues and subordinates to take ownership of the tasks will help you increase your productivity. Effective delegation is a process involving 4 key tasks:
a. Prioritizing and Picking Preferences – While delegating you must prioritize and select the work you do best and delegate the other tasks to the best candidate. You should also understand how much feedback should be given on a delegated task.
b. Knowing the Talent – You should keep in mind the skill required for the completion of a task and match them with the knowledge and skill set of the team members.
c. Defining the Purpose of the Task – The purpose of the task should be clearly defined and, if possible, should be aligned with the individual goals and beliefs of the team members.
d. Assessment and Rewards – You have to find ways to work in collaboration with your team and help them grow. You will also need to assess the tasks performed and reward the members accordingly.
3. Prioritizing What You Do Best – You must figure out the tasks that only you can do best, prioritize them, and delegate the rest of the tasks. This way not only you can increase your efficiency and productivity but also increase the value you generate for the organization.
4. Clarity of Role – You will have to understand your core responsibilities, secondary responsibilities, and the tasks that are not yours. It may happen that you are assigned some additional tasks, but you will have to prioritize your core responsibilities.
The Need for a Guiding Hand:
Leadership training is often required in organizations for the management at all levels. Although the common notion is that leaders are born, but the counterpart that leaders are made is also true. The people who are born with leadership skills also require guidance to move on the correct path and increase their efficiency.
Also, the term leadership and the qualities and skills required for it are subjective. A manager from an IT company may have a completely different skill set than a movie director, but in the end, they both are leaders. Customized leadership training can help leaders and managers from all domains attain their tasks efficiently.
Role and Impact of Acelot In Organization’s Growth:
Acelot offers customized training courses to inculcate leadership qualities in managers at all levels. The courses are designed in accordance with the organization’s domain, managerial level, and specific requirements. Acelot trainers help in creating leaders by identifying the traits and strengths of the individuals and build the required habits using effective tools. Not only do we explain in-depth each aspect of leadership but also help you tackle everyday issues in an efficient and effective manner. The leadership training also includes learning through anecdotes of the challenges faced in the career.
No comments yet.