In their work "The Leadership Challenge", Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have found that great leaders follow 5 practices that make them effective in their leadership roles. Here’s the list:
#1 - Model the Way
This is simply to "walk the talk" and DWYSYWD (Do What You Say You Will Do).
#2 - Inspire a Shared Vision
Create your picture of where you are leading them and articulate that picture to those in your company.
#3 - Challenge the Process
Encourage everyone to look outside the four walls for solutions and create a culture of risk taking and small wins.
#4 - Enable Others to Act
Empower your direct reports at appropriate levels, find a good balance of hand off vs. micromanaging, and let your people develop so you can spend more time leading vs. managing.
#5 - Encourage the Heart
Find opportunities to praise and celebrate at 3 or 4 times the frequency as talking about opportunities to improve.
If you take small steps in any of these 5 practices, you will undoubtedly be a more effective leader for yourself and for your company.
Questions about the 5 practices? Email me: len@theleadershipquest.com