Whether you just got offered a new position in your sorority or you're taking on a huge new role at your job, there are effective ways to lead your team of people and it starts with one thing:
Listening.
The greatest leaders hold many similar qualities and one that is universal is the art of listening. "Seek to understand before trying to be understood" is how they best describe it. If you listen more than you talk, you will be surprised at the added benefits that come with that. First, you have a better understanding of the people you're working with when you take the time to hear their ideas and review their comments. Not to mention, as you seek to listen, you gain the trust of the people you're working with because they feel comfortable with you and believe that you truly care about their opinion.
Aside from listening, exercise personal growth. The #1 best teacher of leadership is John C. Maxwell and he talks about the "Rule of 5 For Personal Growth". It goes as follows:
- Learn - get into one area where you want to learn, become a student, and have a teachable spirit. Make a Top 5 list of all the areas you want to be better in such as relationships, attitude, developing people, leadership, and your faith.
- Prioritize
- Apply
- Evaluate
- Share- pass on what you have learned as the greatest leaders are ones who can master duplication.
We just can't get enough of John C. Maxwell and his amazing teachings about leadership. Here are some of his helpful reads:
