7 Qualities of a Good Leader

You can’t expect your employees to be engaged at work if you aren’t. This means demonstrating not only a passion for the vision and for the work, but also for your employees. Meet with them regularly, both as a team and through regular 1:1s. Get to know them as people. Learn their goals and desires, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Show up for them and they’ll show up for you.

In business, it all too often happens that management gets credit for the things that go right, while employees take the blame for things that go wrong. Flip the script by publicly acknowledging team and individual successes. But when you need to correct an employee, do it privately. As the team leader, take your share of the responsibility for any mistakes.

Everyone wants to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. Help your employees understand how their individual contributions support the company’s overall success. Validate their concerns and empower them to make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization. Listen to their ideas and suggestions for improvement.

Great managers never ask their employees to do anything that they aren’t willing to do themselves. Set a good example by showing up on time and doing the work. But don’t forget to model a healthy work-life balance by leaving work behind at the end of the day and encouraging your team members to do the same.

Some managers want to shield their employees from potential bad news. Others use their team members as a place to complain when things get tough. Neither is good for employee morale. Always strive to be honest and transparent. Let your team know what’s going on at the company without sugar-coating or catastrophizing. When you simply don’t know what will happen, tell them that. In addition, don’t get caught up in “being a manager” by putting on a persona that isn’t authentically you. Being your authentic self will help set your employees at ease.

Trust is at the core of any working relationship. Earn your employees’ trust by living up to your commitments, respecting confidentiality and staying out of any workplace drama. Show your team members that you trust them by empowering them, being flexible and validating their feelings.

Conflict resolution is never fun, but it is a vital skill to master. Learn the techniques of de-escalation and mediation. Develop the ability to help both sides feel like they got a win.

Good management skills take time and effort, but they are worth the trouble. A good manager can make a real difference in employee engagement, loyalty and productivity. This is a win-win for both the organization and the individual employees.