Be A Leader - Beyond Titles And Hierarchy

It's not about occupying the highest chair in the room; it's about showcasing leadership traits in whatever capacity you find yourself. Leaders stand out by owning their unique leadership styles and approaches, forging their distinct paths.

Aspiring to be a leader, regardless of role, is commendable. Embodying leadership qualities irrespective of position will ultimately take you up on the ladder of success.

Leaders are trendsetters rather than followers, leaving an indelible mark on their uniqueness.

The essence of leadership lies beyond titles or hierarchical positions. It's more about the qualities and behaviors a person exhibits, regardless of the official role.

Now the question arises, what essential leadership traits or characteristics distinguish someone as the leader in any given room?

Leaders are Initiative-takers:

Who is elected in the class to become the monitor of the class? Who is elected as the volunteer in the office for any important task delegation? Who is first on any list in your workplace when there is any important nomination? A person who takes initiative. A person who volunteers. Because that is the name that everyone remembers. That is the person who even if 'working from home' will be on the top of the list for any important position to hold. They make their presence valued and memorable.

Leaders are Always Ready to Solve a Problem:

Leaders display a proactive approach to solving any problem, regardless of whose problem it is. Have you ever observed that there is this one person in your workplace or home who is the 'go-to person' for everyone? This one person is always there to listen and is ready with the solutions. Become that go-to person for people because people are in search of solutions, as the problems already are enough.

Power of Influence:

This is the most important trait of a leader. Have you come across any person in your workplace or life who is trusted blindly? You know that this person will be able to offer you invaluable advice. Yes, this is the person who even influences the highest chairs in the organizations. These are the people who go up on the ladder in no time. These are the people who talk about growth. They create a brand of trust that is hard to break.

What makes leaders so influential?

Empathy, Integrity, and Vision:

Leaders are empathic to everyone. People are ready to become their followers even if they do not ask them to. Be good to people, even to the people who you do not think are good with you. Leaders have integrity. They are authentic in their approach. Whatever they do, they build a relationship of trust. Leaders have a vision. They will show you the future that you at this point are unable to see for yourself.

Leaders Strive for Excellence:

Be it teams or organizations, wherever a leader is, he/ she will always think of making it a success. The approach of leadership is not to succeed in life, but to make all those around you, succeed. This is what makes them stand out. It's not about authority. It's about being one of them and showing them the way.

Fostering a Positive Work Culture:

How many of you have been micromanaged? I guess, most of the hands are up. I too have been micromanaged by a few of the managers many times in my life. And, then there have been leaders who have given me space to excel. They have trusted in me. They have given me the freedom of choice, speech, and experimenting. This is what true leaders do. They create for you a positive environment where you can grow and flourish. There are positive team discussions, positive working space, and an enriching culture. When you are happy at work, you will yield good results for yourself and the organization.

Driving Innovation:

Leaders drive innovation and that is what makes the organizations grow that they are a part of. They experiment with everything that they have been given. Leaders do not display old-school thoughts or follow traditional approaches, rather they believe that there is always a better and a different way to do anything.

Being Constructive:

Leaders are always thinking constructively. Their approach is progressive Their thoughts are constructive and productive. Once you are with this person, your negative thoughts turn into positive ones. The whole approach of taking things ahead, changes.

Effective Communication:

Yes, this is yet another essential trait of an effective leader- effective communication skills. There have been various instances in my professional life where the lack of communication or improper passing of the message had created a nuisance. Whether you're leading a team or contributing to one, being able to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely is the most important part because if your team doesn't know what to do, they will never be able to find out how to do it. Effective communication helps in fostering collaboration, reducing misunderstandings, and aligning everyone towards common goals.

Leaders are Always Ready for Change:

This is what makes leaders stand out from the rest of them. They do not fear change. They are not bothered if their office shifts to a different place, a new member joins their team or they have been shifted to a different team. They welcome each challenge happily and are always navigating through uncertainty. They know very well that life is uncertain and so is everything in life. They exhibit an adaptable and resilient approach during challenging times that demonstrates leadership regardless of their official title. Leaders are tough and flexible all at the same time, contributing to overall team success.

Team Collaboration and Support:

The manager delegates, leader collaborates. A leader's role isn't just about delegating tasks but also about supporting others. Collaborating effectively, offering help, and being a team player showcase leadership qualities that contribute significantly to the team's success. I knew a manager in one of my previous organizations who knew only about the task delegation. No support or guidance was provided by him to any of the team members and as a result, his team became directionless and confused. They started making blunders in work and it impacted their peace of mind. So the whole point of this story is, delegation is one of the tasks of a manager but that is not the only task. You should also support your team and collaborate with your team to make them aligned with you. This supportive approach helps in building trust and camaraderie within a group.

A Leader is a Continuous Learner:

Leaders have understood very clearly that growth is a never-ending process. You constantly seek, learn, and improve. There is always room for improvement and they do that by polishing their skills, sharpening their axe regularly, and adapting to changes Leaders often exhibit a growth mindset, constantly seeking to learn and improve.

Building Positive Relationships and Networking:

Leaders believe in building relationships of trust, both within and outside the organization. Regardless of your role anywhere in the organization, fostering positive connections and meaningful networks can create opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and professional development.

So, what we discussed until now are the most essential qualities of a leader that make him stand out from the crowd. By consistently embodying these leadership qualities, you can make a significant impact and build a reputation for leadership excellence, ultimately leading you to success in your career.

Leadership is not just a position or a title; it's a set of behaviors, qualities, or traits that can create tomorrow's leaders.

Love and Light

IKIA