A manager says “Go!” while a leader says “Let’s go!” A good leader knows the difference between simply managing and effective leadership. A good leader knows the value of her team and understands these three things are crucial when guiding a group to a shared vision:
1.Engage
Instead of coming up with all the ideas and solutions herself, a good leader asks her team for recommendations. It’s important to not only encourage various perspectives but also involve others in the process for engagement and buy-in.
2. Connect
A good leader also knows that to lead your team, you have to first know your team; to listen to them instead of being the one doing all the talking; to spend time understanding their strengths and weaknesses and forming a connection.
3. Empower
A good leader understands the value of quality decision-making. While she is the one in charge and ultimately accountable, she also spends time sharing and training, which enables a level of autonomy within her team. This in turn empowers others to make well thought-out decisions and gives them the confidence to take measured risks. Ultimately a good leader knows she can’t do it all herself – so she builds a dedicated and powerful team and network around her to make them unstoppable together!
