Want to be a kick-ass leader?
It takes hard work, dedication, and solid communication skills to lead well.
What makes a kick-ass leader?
The ability to motivate and inspire others to become the best version of themselves. When you’re leading a company, those around you understand the vision of the company and you can get them to show up excited and motivated to work, loving what they do every single day.
What makes one leader kick-ass and not another? What makes some leaders inspirational and invigorating, and others weak role models? How can YOU become one of the great ones? When you have people who share the same vision and values in your inner circle, your employees and company will thrive.
Here are four traits that all kick-ass leaders possess!
A leader should possess a dedicated work ethic and passion.
They believe in their vision and are willing to go all the way for it. They are passionate and invest in their vision. Leaders of vision inspire others to put forth just as much effort and dedication to their vision as they are. Leaders set an example for their team members by consistently showing up and exhibiting a positive attitude in the face of challenges.
Not only do leaders work hard themselves, but they also hire people who are self-motivated. You shouldn’t have to motivate your team! People are intrinsically motivated when their leaders and the systems around them stir their passions and support their growth. Any time you feel like you have to add incentives like a commission plan to motivate people, there’s a problem.
Just like you want what’s best for your company, your team should also want to do what’s best for the company in every instance because they’re driven from within to do so. Remember that when you are asking others to come along with you, you’re their role model. Their only access point into the idea or concept you are promoting is your presentation of it, so be there for your team and work with them. If you as the leader aren’t passionate about what you’re working towards, why would anyone else be?
Powerful leaders know when to talk and when to listen.
They are effective communicators and are able to clearly and succinctly explain to their employees everything from organizational goals to specific tasks.
If people don’t understand or aren’t aware of your expectations, they will fall short, so the more specific you can be, the better. Everyone communicates differently, so it is important to take the time to get to know and understand your coworkers and employees fully in order to get on the same page.
Kick-ass leaders realize that different people and different situations need them to dial-up and dial down different aspects of their communication. They have the will and the skill to tweak their communication accordingly, and the ability to know when it’s best to sit back and participate in active listening.
It can be really hard to adjust your own energy and feelings to be what others need you to be in a given moment. Leaders are most effective when they meet people where they are. But, in doing so, you may not necessarily be doing what is best for yourself. Find the balance and meet in the middle!
Kick-ass leaders are adaptable.
Change is constant and inevitable, and leaders must be able to adapt to any situation to succeed.
Having the ability to stay calm and composed when asked to pivot displays a tremendous amount of power. As a leader, it’s imperative to adapt with grace. If you become resistant to change then you become resistant to finding solutions too. When we talk about adapting to change, we only really focus on the problems and changes that could arise. But think about what you are doing to prepare for these changes. What are you doing to make yourself strong physically and mentally? What are you doing to maintain your level of happiness? Remember to be kind to yourself, and never hesitate to invest in things that will help you grow as a person and become prepared for the unknown.
With adaptability comes open-mindedness. People should feel comfortable coming to talk to you, and you should feel comfortable taking on new experiences and meeting new people. Being open-minded allows you as the leader to see things from a different perspective, or understand your team on a deeper level. Leaders look at risk as an opportunity. They aren’t afraid to go after it despite outside opinions or thoughts from others. A strong leader is someone who is also strong-minded and not afraid to be different and stand out and not conform with everybody else. When you’re open minded, you’re able to find new opportunities, take risks with confidence, and sometimes those new opportunities will find you!
Kick-ass leaders set clear goals and have a clear vision for the future.
If you radiate enthusiasm and are truly excited about what you’re doing, people will be naturally drawn to you. No one wants a leader who isn’t goal driven. Set clear goals and be determined and purposeful in achieving them. Back it all up with unshakable self-confidence. Write your goals down and share them with your team. Accomplishing those goals takes time, but use your desire to achieve them as the power to push yourself and your team forward.
If you give up, so will everyone around you. To be a successful leader, you must be willing to keep going when others are tempted to throw in the towel. Not only do kickass leaders have the ability to set short-term goals, but exceptional leaders have the ability to look into their company’s future and make clear, concrete long-term goals that will benefit their business. They are confident and optimistic, inspiring enthusiasm in those around them.
Being a visionary is about managing change while striking a balance between stability and growth. You must incorporate new approaches without getting distracted from the main goals. Being a visionary also means understanding that continuous change is occurring all around you, so what worked in the past may not always work now. Practice being adaptable as you implement new strategies and allow your business model
There is no “secret sauce” to being a great leader. It’s important to remind yourself and those around you to be yourself & treat others the way you want to be treated. Leadership is a practice. It is a mindset, a way of engaging in the workplace that elevates you above those who are content only to follow. Choose to innovate, explore, motivate others, and exercise your creativity to find new solutions to the challenges that arise in your business. If you want to learn how to lead your company and help everybody thrive together, let us know how we can support you.
Ready to become a kick-ass leader and own your business?
Check out our business coaching online courses to get started.
