How to Develop an Effective Leadership Style

In order to achieve success in the workplace, you need to be recognized as a leader among your coworkers.  Being a leader at work doesn’t necessarily mean being a boss.  It’s becoming a role model for your coworkers and being the person they go to when they need advice.  With the right attitude and a little effort, anyone can set themselves apart from coworkers and become a recognized leader in the workplace.

5 Tips to Help You Develop an Effective Leadership Style

Keep your glass half full.
Even on rough days, put a smile on your face and power through.  You want to set yourself apart from your coworkers, but not in a negative way.  Therefore, it’s important to avoid the complaining sessions and stay out of the rumor mill.  People in a workplace tend to gravitate towards team members that have a positive energy.  You’ll gain respect from your coworkers, as well as your managers.  Never underestimate the power of positive influence on those around you.  A simple smile, thank you, or showing appreciation can go a long way in building your reputation among your coworkers.

Own your work.
Many people don’t emerge as leaders in the workplace because they fail to take responsibility for their work.  Everyone is human and makes mistakes.  If you’re working on a project and something goes wrong, own up to the error, take the blame, and move forward.  Being able to admit your mistakes and learn from them is a leadership quality that will set you apart from coworkers that are always pointing fingers elsewhere.  Offer to help out on projects other than those that have been assigned to you as well.  The more responsibility you ask to take on (without overloading yourself), the quicker your managers will see your ability to handle projects successfully and be a leader.

Be a role model.
The most important key to being a successful leader is to lead by example. Make sure your attitude, behavior, and habits are in line with other leaders.  Look at the behavioral habits of your direct reports.  Do you like what you see?  If not, look in the mirror a little more carefully.  The source of their frustration may start with you.

Try new things.
Great leaders take risks, even if it means a chance of failure.  Stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things are qualities of a leader.  If you have an idea of how you can improve a process or make a project run more efficiently, speak up and test it out.  Even though your idea may not be fool proof, the worst that can happen is you’ll revert back to the process that’s currently in place. Managers take notice of employees that want to be proactive and try new things to improve the business.

Welcome feedback.
Many people hate receiving negative feedback and take criticism to heart.  Instead be open to (and ask for) feedback from your coworkers and managers.  Even though it may be hard to accept criticism from others, their feedback is important to your career growth.  Feedback allows you to identify weaknesses and improve them. Regular feedback gives you the fuel you need for fresh perspective and new ideas.

How Can Area Temps Help?
If you’ve tried everything and you still aren’t being recognized as a leader in the workplace, it may be time to start fresh with a new career opportunity.  Let the experienced recruiters at Area Temps find you the right job where you can reinvent yourself as a leader.  For over 25 years, Area Temps has been a leading human resource-staffing partner in Cleveland, Ohio. Contact our team of experienced recruiters today to see how we can help.

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