A prominent Austrian-American management consultant, Peter Drucker, notes that management refers to doing things right. However, he differentiates leadership from management by focusing on doing the right things. While savvy management effectively ensures efficient resource consumption, it doesn’t always benefit organizations with leadership vision.
What skills transform managers into visionary, creative, and inspiring leaders? Leadership skills are abundant, but it all boils down to charismatic communication, active collaboration, self-reflection, and problem-solving. Without communication and coordination skills, managers cannot lead teams towards success and overcome complex obstacles.
It’s interesting how some managerial styles motivate and empower teams while others discourage creativity and innovation. Keep reading to identify leadership skills that enable managers to lead their teams with charisma and motivation.
Savvy Communication & Public Speaking
Did you know that most managers are uncomfortable while communicating with team members and subordinates? An online survey conducted by Interact and Harris Poll revealed that over 69% of managers are hesitant to communicate with employees. The survey had over 2,000 American respondents, of which over 600 were serving as managers. The survey further revealed that over 30% of managers felt uncomfortable sharing their feedback over employees’ performance.
According to the survey data, managers are uncomfortable sharing their past mistakes, negative feedback, and recognizing employee achievements. These communication challenges undermine the role of a manager within the corporate structure. Managers who struggle with communication and public speaking cannot give clear directions and motivate teams towards productivity.
If you struggle with public speaking, team communication skills and often shy away from leading discussions it’s might be time to pursue a program for leadership development to cultivate and harness your communication abilities. Pursuing an online development program will boost self-awareness and make you more confident as an influential speaker.
While full-time professionals struggle with work-life balance and given their hectic schedules, development programs may seem an aimless commitment. But the right program can help you embrace effective communication and collaboration techniques to shift your leadership style. Returning to the classroom with a flexible online course will help you learn effective communication styles applicable to broad corporate contexts.
The Confidence to Lead
Is confidence an inherent talent or a skill we cultivate over the years of learning and gaining experience? It’s common for people to associate confidence as an innate talent exclusive to extroverted and loud-spoken personalities. That’s a very damaging myth as it gives the impression that introverts cannot radiate confidence, and therefore, shouldn’t even try.
Confidence stems from expertise, knowledge, and specialization in any field or domain. Some managers specialize in human resource management, while others are experienced in the supply chain, technological advancement, or marketing. Our confidence is displayed through our expertise and command of a subject or process. When speaking with clarity, influence, and knowledge employees, subordinates and onlookers can witness this confidence surging through our voices.
So, how does confidence impact the managerial duties of a team leader?
It’s simple; confidence makes us open to creativity and experimentation and receptive to innovation. Confident leaders encourage team members to highlight new opportunities and overcome fear with concrete action.
Confident managers reflect on day-to-day operations without over-analyzing situations and scenarios. In the end, confidence affects the team’s productivity with positive outcomes and unrestricted creativity.
An Actionable Vision
Leaders are powerful and dynamic visionaries who lead teams towards goal fulfillment and self-actualization. They skillfully combine their goals with their employees’ professional ambitions to lead highly motivated and productive teams. A lofty and ambitious vision alone doesn’t make a leader; it’s the actionable strategy that defines the leader’s essence.
You see, a vision that is riddled with challenges and unrealistic plans is a pipe dream. In contrast, an actionable vision defines various milestones on a detailed roadmap outlining the path to success. Leading employees towards goal fulfillment is a masterful leadership skill that few can master. Leaders actively seek new opportunities, leverage success, and inspire teams to adopt their strategic plans.
But is visionary leadership all about pursuing a detailed strategy? Certainly not; it’s about sharing an inspiring story that motivates the listeners to pursue a transformative vision for a better future.
Motivating & Inspiring
Motivational leaders don’t have to set harsh measures to enforce deadlines and maintain productivity. They don’t struggle with high employee turnover or absenteeism rates or implement severe penalties to discourage long breaks. You see, motivational leaders lead from the heart, inspiring their employees with their words and actions.
Motivational leadership focuses on harnessing true potential by commending their productivity and valuing their contributions. Leaders who motivate their teams focus on the individual capabilities of each employee to bring out the best in each team. These leaders are good listeners and communicators who rely on feedback-driven models to boost productivity.
Final Thoughts
Cultivating a dynamic and charismatic leadership style allows managers to map their career trajectory towards the C-suite. The workforce must regard you as a natural leader without the compulsions of your designation. Leadership style determines the manager’s comfort and engagement with employees, setting the tone for the department’s relationship dynamics.
Managers who inspire fear and anxiety can never bring out the best in their team. In contrast, managers who encourage employees to pursue professional growth achieve their targets without any cajoling or harshness.
