7 Traits of Influential Leaders: Part 3

Leadership is a skill that everyone should develop and cultivate. Being a leader does not necessarily have to mean being a manager or a politician – it could also mean being a thought leader, or even just being a great parent. The ability to inspire, direct, and guide others is something that is incredibly valuable. Something that can help you to accomplish more and even raises your confidence and self-worth.

In this series of 7 posts, we’re going to examine what it takes to be a leader by looking at some of the most important traits that history’s greatest exhibit. Every leader is different and part of your journey to becoming one is going to be discovering your own ‘leadership style’. With that said though, there are still definitely some common traits that you can develop and some lessons we can learn from influential figures from history. And what you’ll find is that in some ways, the most important aspects of being a great leader are not what you would expect.

I hope this series will change the way you approach leadership and help you to drastically improve your own results.

Part 3. A Great Leader Looks After or Cares For Their Team

This post may sound a little contradictory in light of part 1, but it’s important to remember you don’t look after your team to be liked, you look after your team because they deserve your best, and will, in turn, give their best when they feel cared for by their leader.

As the great John Maxwell says, “They won’t care about what you know until they know how much you care.“

What does this look like in real terms? Caring for your team in the simplest sense is just getting to know them as human beings, and taking an interest in them personally?

When we show genuine care and interest for our team it builds trust. Trust is the foundation of relationships and relationship is the key that unlocks the door to influence.

People will rarely leave the organization itself. Unrest, discontentment, and disillusionment within teams can almost always be tied back to the relationships they have with their leaders and co-workers.

If you are going to build strong positive and mutually respectful relationships with the people you lead, you need to start by caring about the things that they care about.

Now it may come as a surprise to you, but your team all have different individual hopes, dreams, desires, fears, and worries. What’s more, they are almost certainly not the same things that you think about and care about.

To start caring for your team, you need to get to know their world, take an interest in the things that make them tick, empathize with the struggles that they are experiencing and help them to achieve, overcome and grow to their full potential. Only then you will start to see your team do the same for you.

If you’re stuck waiting for your team to show you enthusiasm, regard, and motivation for the things that you care about, then start by showing them the same. Lead by example and you will build a level of loyalty and commitment that no paycheck can buy.

Want to read ahead? Down load the eBook with all 7 traits here:

If you would like to learn more about effectively growing in your leadership, why not check out our FREE Goal setting guide. See below for details . https://leadcommunicategrow.com/free-goal-setting-guide/

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