Brushing Up On Leadership

by Lynn Taylor
Founder and CEO, Lynn Taylor Consulting

What really makes a good corporate leader? Is it coming in early and staying late? Knowing all of your employees’ names? Meeting the monthly quota? Good management varies from one opinion to the next, but there are some proven tactics that might secure your next promotion and lead you to receive a special holiday coffee mug from your assistant some day. Or, better yet, lower turnover in your department.

Effective management requires commitment and discipline. It’s a role that should not be taken lightly. It’s taking a stand for your company, your employees and your customers. It’s also making sure that what needs to be done is done efficiently and concisely.

To be an excellent manager, first and foremost, requires honest communication. Your staff needs to know what you are thinking and feeling without having to read your mind. They need to be prepared and equipped with the proper tools to perform their jobs effectively. If you need something by a certain time, this needs to be relayed to them so they have plenty of advanced warning. You should also be equally as good at listening as instructing. They should always feel confident that you have their best interests at heart and that you want to see them succeed.

Great management is about praising your employees. As you know, without them, you certainly would not be where you are. Give praise when praise is due, and equally accept responsibility if it’s your fault. Leadership means being a role model and showing the same work ethic that you expect of others. It’s about encouraging teamwork, promoting from within and creating balance.

Finally, the best managers are the ones who are not afraid to laugh – or make mistakes. They create a warm and positive environment in which employees are proud to belong. They are not afraid to let pride go out the window once in a while. Great leaders realize that fun and creativity holds a significant place in the corporate world and that work really can be a place where people enjoy being everyday!