9 Key Leadership Behaviors Effective Leaders Need to Have
If your organization is filling a leadership role, you may be wondering what behaviors to look for in an effective leader. Whether you’re promoting from within or hiring from outside your agency, the management style of the candidate you choose will impact the retention rate of your teams. Who you choose will influence workforce performance and even the success of your business.If you lead a team, you may be wondering how your leadership style impacts the actions and behaviors of your team. And if you’re considering leading a team, you may be wondering what attributes will make you an effective leader, or even a great leader. The answers may surprise you.Effective leadership isn’t about being able to drive your team to work harder, commanding respect (or fear), or winning affection from your team. Great leaders have a leadership style that inspires change, innovation and inclusion in their teams.
How does leadership style affect the actions and behaviors of your workforce?
In her Ted Talk, leadership expert Roselinde Torres says that 58% of companies cite significant talent gaps for critical leadership roles. This means businesses are failing to foster good leadership behaviors despite their programs in place to do so.The problem with this is that poor leadership is one of the top reasons employees leave. In fact, a Flex Jobs survey reveals that 68% of employees who leave because of poor management do so without having another job lined up!The message the Great Resignation is sending is loud and clear: today’s workforce won’t put up with poor leadership styles in management. So what are effective leadership behaviors? Torres says businesses can uncover the answer by asking three key questions of their leadership teams:How is your business model changing? Effective leaders understand what trends drive business change and impact their teams. They recognize potential gaps and plan to course correct. Great leaders prepare for the future–they don’t react to it.What is the diversity measure of your stakeholder network? Effective leaders cultivate connections with individuals who possess significant differences. They can connect with a diverse group and cooperate to achieve a shared goal. Great leaders surround themselves with diverse individuals who think differently.Do you have the courage to be different? Effective leaders are risk-takers. Leaders develop the most powerful solutions when they are able to stand up to individuals who say their ideas are irresponsible or simple-minded. Effective leaders prepare themselves for the reality of today and the unpredictability of tomorrow.With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of key leadership behavior examples. Look for the following attributes in leaders who will shape the future, connect and cooperate with a diverse group, and take a risk.
Key leadership behaviors that help shape the future
Whether you lead a team now or are contemplating doing so, consider whether you have the attributes necessary to effectively guide your staff. If you’re hiring for a leadership role, does your candidate have what it takes to drive actions and behaviors that lead to success, improve performance, and job satisfaction? Don’t worry, if you find your leadership lacking any of the following attributes, leadership coaching can help!
Foresight
Effective business leaders have their ears to the ground. They’re in tune to changes in the market and customer dynamics. They pay attention to industry trends and listen to what their teams and customers are saying. A leader with foresight is better able to predict and prepare for a pivot.
Adaptability
Change is inevitable, but when businesses usher in change, they also usher in anxiety. Because change impacts the status quo and one’s comfort zone, people are naturally resistant to change. Effective leaders have an attitude of adaptability and resilience that they pass on to their teams. When leaders and their teams are adaptable to change, they make a difficult business pivot not just possible but painless.
Effective Communication
The Great Resignation is a clear indication that transformation and effective leadership must go hand in hand. When business goals pivot, great leaders know that listening and collaboration are as important as clear communication. Secrecy and lack of transparency–especially around change–often leads to speculation, false assumptions and lack of trust. When teams lack clarity, misunderstandings increase, and employees jump ship.
Key leadership behaviors that foster diversity of thought
Self-awareness
Forbes suggests that bad leadership stems from a lack of self-awareness. Yet, according to Harvard Business Review, only 10-15% of the workforce is self-aware. When leaders cultivate this skill in the workplace, they can better predict and respond to situations that might create conflict. Additionally, self-awareness helps leaders to read a room and tune their message to non-verbal cues. This can improve company culture, and help businesses meet diversity, equality and inclusion goals.
Empathy
Empathy is an extension of self-awareness that Forbes reports is a key to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Leaders who are empathetic tend to be more emotionally intelligent. They see their team members as individuals and have better listening skills. An empathetic approach to leadership removes barriers that impede an inclusive workplace culture. Not everyone has empathy, but it is a skill that can be taught through workplace coaching.
Open-mindedness
Open-mindedness is an extension of self-awareness that is key to developing diversity in the workplace. According to Washington Post surveys, 88% of employees who work at a “Top Workplace” say they work in an open-minded culture. Open-minded leaders welcome debate, fresh-perspectives and input. They encourage all opinions, even when they don’t agree with them.
Key leadership behaviors found in risk-takers
Accountability
A survey by Visual Capitalist reveals that 72% of executives believe accountability is crucial in organizations. Yet only 31% believe that leadership accountability is demonstrated in the workplace. Accountable leaders assume the full responsibility of their risk-taking, whether the outcome meets success or failure. They foster trust in their teams and clearly communicate their results as well as their goals. This helps to align their teams and focus their efforts.
Managing for creativity
According to Harvard Business Review, an effective leader doesn’t manage creativity. Instead one manages for creativity. Managing for creativity draws on a leader’s ability to communicate clearly and approach diversity of thought with an open mind. Leaders who manage for creativity develop intuitive solutions by encouraging team members to approach a problem from different angles. But an intuitive solution is just the beginning. An effective leader must be able to map, follow-through, and bring an intuitive solution to fruition.
The ability to inspire
According to Forbes, the ability to inspire separates great leaders from average leaders. Risk-taking leaders inspire passion and engagement in their teams. Inspirational leaders clearly communicate where they are going in a way that makes their team want to join them. The ability to inspire doesn’t come naturally to everyone but it is a skill leaders can learn with coaching.
Leaders must have a coaching mindset to develop these attributes
Leaders who don’t demonstrate the above leadership skills examples can still learn to be effective leaders if they have a coaching mindset. Leadership coaching shows supervisors, managers, executives and other team leaders how to maximize their abilities to lead their teams effectively.A strong coaching culture fosters diversity, equity and inclusion and benefits businesses with increased productivity, engagement and employee retention. CoachHub provides digital coaching services that empower average leaders to become great leaders. Our coaching services can train your leadership team to develop the attributes of great leaders and transform your organization from within.
FAQ
At CoachHub, we believe in the power of aligning individual growth with organisational objectives. Our dedicated coaches work closely with coachees to ensure that their growth plans are directly linked to your company's overarching goals. This includes addressing specific leadership development needs within different departments or teams, and recognising that each area may have unique challenges and requirements.
To achieve this alignment, we collaborate closely with our clients and their senior leaders, taking the time to understand their organisation's specific challenges, objectives, and organisational culture well. By gaining deep insights into your company's dynamics, we can tailor coaching plans that address the specific needs of different teams and individuals.
Our approach is highly customised and adaptable. We recognise that each coachee has unique requirements, and we leverage our expertise to develop coaching plans that are relevant and effective for all participants, regardless of their role or level within the organisation. Whether it's helping to develop leaders, retain talent, improve leadership skills of middle management, or support C-suite executives, our coaching programs are designed to cater to diverse needs and ensure maximum impact.
By aligning growth plans with your company's objectives, we create a cohesive approach that enhances overall organisational success. Our coaches help coachees identify areas for improvement, set meaningful goals, and develop actionable strategies to bridge the gap between their current competencies and the desired leadership abilities. This alignment not only facilitates personal and professional growth but also contributes to the long-term success of your organisation.
With CoachHub, you can be confident that our coaching programs are tailored to address the specific leadership development efforts within your organisation. By collaborating closely with our clients, we ensure that our coaching plans are relevant, effective, and aligned with your company's objectives, driving growth and excellence across all departments and levels.
At CoachHub, we understand the importance of scalability when it comes to your leadership development program. That's why our programs are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a large number of participants simultaneously, ensuring that organisations of all sizes can benefit from our services. Whether you have a small team or a global workforce, our coaching platform is equipped to handle the scale.
With our advanced digital coaching platform, we bring high-quality coaching directly to employees all over the world. The beauty of our online sessions is that participants can access them from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility empowers employees to engage in coaching without geographical constraints or time zone limitations. Whether they're working from home, travelling for business, or stationed in a different country, our platform ensures that they can easily connect with their coach and participate in sessions at their convenience.
The digital nature of our coaching platform also means that participants can enjoy a consistent and seamless coaching experience, regardless of their location. Through video calls, instant messaging, and other interactive tools, our platform fosters a sense of connection and engagement between the coaches and participants. This virtual environment not only saves time and resources but also allows for regular and ongoing coaching support without the need for in-person meetings.
By leveraging the power of technology, our scalable coaching programs break down barriers and provide accessible coaching solutions to organisations and individuals around the globe. Whether it's a small team or a multinational corporation, our platform ensures that every participant can benefit from high-quality coaching, anytime and anywhere.
Absolutely! CoachHub's leadership development program is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing talent development and performance management initiatives. We understand that every company has its own unique needs and goals, and that's why our coaching sessions are completely tailored to meet those requirements. Whether you're looking to strengthen leadership skills, foster personal growth, or achieve organisational success, our program aligns perfectly with your company's specific objectives.
By customising our coaching sessions, we ensure that each individual receives the guidance and support they need to thrive. We take the time to understand their strengths, challenges, and aspirations, and then craft a coaching experience that caters to their personal growth journey. This way, we can provide targeted development opportunities that directly contribute to their success within your organisation.
When you integrate our program with your leadership development efforts and performance management initiatives, you create a powerful synergy. Our tailored approach complements and reinforces your existing efforts, allowing you to build a comprehensive framework for maximising the potential of your workforce. Together, we can create an environment where employees are motivated, empowered, and equipped with the skills they need to excel.
So, rest assured that with CoachHub's leadership development program, you can easily integrate coaching into your existing initiatives and achieve remarkable results that align with your company's requirements.
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