Become One of Tomorrow’s Top Leaders (Management Tip # 23-05192019)

What qualities and responsibilities will define the most effective leaders of tomorrow? And what skills and knowledge should you attain to become one of those leaders?

• Change management. As markets and technologies shift and advance, organizations and strategies must continually change and adapt. The leaders of the future will need to be masters at managing change.

• Deep familiarity with emerging markets. Tomorrow’s leaders will need to identify and seize the new possibilities created as emerging markets take center stage in the global economy.

• The ability to inspire and motivate. In a future marked by constant change, the ability to inspire and motivate others to work together to achieve common goals will be critical. Without alignment, change initiatives stand little chance of success.

• Lean management. Leaders will need to operate in—and create—lean, flexible organizations that optimize efficiencies without sacrificing quality.

Become an Inspirational Leader

Leaders need vision, energy, authority, and a natural strategic ability. But those traits won’t help you inspire your employees to be their best and commit to you as a leader. Here are the four qualities you need to capture the hearts, minds, and spirits of your people:

• Humanness. Nobody wants to work with a perfect leader. Build collaboration and solidarity by revealing your weaknesses.

• Intuition. To be most effective, you need to know what’s going on without others spelling it out for you. Collect unspoken data from body language and the looks people share across rooms to help you intuit the underlying messages.

• Tough empathy. Care deeply about your employees, but accept nothing less than their very best.

• Uniqueness. Demonstrate that you are a singular leader by showing your unique qualities to those around you.

Become a Creative Leader

Yesterday’s leadership skills will not work in today’s fast-moving and evolving world. Only creative leaders who are visionary and empathetic will succeed. Here are five things you can do to succeed as a creative leader:

• Instead of commanding, coach your team and organization toward success.

• Don’t manage people; facilitate them. Often, the know-how, experience, and solutions are there; help people to discover them.

• Cultivate respect by giving it, instead of demanding it.

• Know how to manage both success and failure, not just success.

• Be gracious. Be humble about your successes and, whenever possible, give someone else the opportunity to shine.

Lead Confidently

Confidence is a key ingredient in leading effectively. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s easier to know your weaknesses than your strengths. Ask yourself these two questions to help find your self-confidence:

• What do you do well? Make a list of your strengths. These items are not the same as the accomplishments on your resume; they are what made those accomplishments possible. How will your strengths lead you to future success?

• Why should people follow you? Look at situations where you mobilized yourself and your team to face a particularly tough challenge. Why did people believe in your ability to get things done and trust that you were the one to follow?