Strategic Leadership
I recently got promoted at work to the position of the team lead in my office after four years. It’s a huge leap for me and I am still basking in the euphoria of it. What do I need to know about being a strategic leader?
Answer:
In today’s workplace, knowledge and talent are not enough for strategic leadership. Real leaders need more and fortunately, the characteristics needed for effective leadership can be learned by anyone with a heart for true leadership.
Great leadership is what I would call servant leadership. Most people often tend to think of themselves first even as kids. But if we look at leadership from the lens of it being a service to others, then it would impact the decisions we make as leaders.
Have you ever wondered why people criticize a lot as followers but immediately they are given the role of leadership, they make the same mistakes that their predecessors made? When selfishness takes over, then decisions cannot be taken objectively.
Secondly, leadership can be defined in one word as, ‘Influence’. Leadership puts you in a position to influence a person to take either positive or negative actions. This is applicable at work, at home, and in different areas of society.
Therefore, if leadership is about influence, the skill set needed for this responsibility should not be taken lightly.
So what are the most important skills a leader needs to inspire and influence his team, so they can share in the corporate vision? Using the acronym from the word LEADERSHIP, we will examine ten critical characteristics of a good leader.
- Listen and Learn
A friend visited my home from work some months ago. So we got talking and she said she was feeling tired because she spent all afternoon at a departmental meeting with her boss who spoke all through the two-hour meeting and hardly paused to listen to contributions, feedback, or concerns from the staff. It was so demoralizing for her and other staff, that she even considered not reporting to work the next day.
Most leaders at all levels fall into this awful pit hole of not listening to their staff. It’s like a reoccurring decimal. You often get to hear subordinates making snide remarks such as, ‘our team lead is so proud, she does not listen to others. She loves to hear herself talk.’
People often want to be heard. Nobody likes to feel ignored. Everyone’s opinion matters and is significant in its own right. Listening to people makes them feel valued and respected.
The L in leadership also stands for ‘learn’. Both go together, as a leader who listens also learns from the knowledge of others.
To be Cont’d.
More detailed studies on this subject area can also be accessed at CYMI online training program accessible at www.cymi.org.ng/training.
https://cymi.org.ng/training/
© CYMI Blog, Written By. Engr. Mrs. Nkese Umofia. Stay connected with CYMI family of youths and mentors @ https://web.facebook.com/groups/cymiofficial
Christian Youth Mentoring Initiative provides opportunities for mentorship, leadership training, growth, and development of youths. Our vision is to raise well-balanced youths, high flyers, focused, and capable of standing out in the global world. Email us: info@cymi.org.ng
