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