Good leadership and knowledge are directly related; the more you know about your business or your people, the better you will be able to lead them. It is also vital that you should be aware and in the know when it comes to your own personality and behaviors as a leader to be able to change and adapt. Lastly, a great leader is always well versed in the various management tools, systems, and processes. Being able to lead and work with a variety of people thus requires a wide range of knowledge, and it is worth actively seeking such knowledge if you are to develop into an effective leader.
Understand leadership
Many a study of leadership degenerates into a study of popularity, power, or showmanship. It is a notable fact that is related to the misunderstanding of leadership. Hence, the first step in becoming a good and effective leader is understanding what this means. It is generally accepted and understood that good leadership is when the initial project goal is achieved with the direction of human resources. A good leader is one who can do this to achieve the goal. A great leader is one who can do this over and over, no matter what the weather and specific circumstances that they face. Therefore, you must understand the basics of leadership if you are to become a great leader. This knowledge will give you power.
Leadership is about people
Yes, the leader is tasked with getting the job done; they have the plans and are mandated to ensure that these are carried out to the letter, on time, and within budget. The responsibility for the work being completed to specifications rests on the leader’s shoulders. Many a manager or boss then transfers this pressure and responsibility to their workers and lower management. A good leader, however, realizes from the get-go that the role is more about the people than the targets and productivity reporting. Without a good line of communication and clear strategy for teambuilding, and encouragement of the people who do the actual job, then the leader is doomed. The target may be met, and the job may get done on time, but the levels of stress and difficulty will rise and affect all involved if there is not a clear plan to look after and develop the human resources that the leader is responsible for.
It is important to understand that we are all leaders in various spheres of our lives, and as such, it is critical for these basics to be understood. All those that come into work may very well also be leaders in their own personal lives. They are leaders in their families, churches, and communities. A good leader will recognize this and relate and engage with staff appropriately.
Learn from other leaders
Read as much as you can on leadership and the various styles out there; you should also look at other countries and works of leaders from Africa and the east, and if needed, translate into English. The way that different people in different situations are able to lead is remarkable, and the works of Mao Tse Tung, Paulo Freire, and many others, translated from their original languages, can prove a wealth of knowledge and provide insights into the varying leadership styles that can be used. It is worth noting that the most prominent leaders we read about are generally those from periods in time where there has been conflict and strife. This is because it is generally only when faced with immense difficulties that the natural-born leadership is awoken in the true leader.
Keep current, update your skills
Knowing the basics of leadership and understanding historical leaders and their means used to overcome obstacles and political and business strife is a good start, but it will not be enough. A good leader is in possession of the skills and techniques to execute their mandate and lead staff and other human resources to pull together in the same direction to achieve the set goals. These skills can range from a simple planning tool such as the Gantt chart to more complex data analysis tools such as SPSS and access to big data and its analysis through the Cloud. A good leader must ensure that they use the current and available technology to assist in tracking, monitoring, and evaluating progress.
With the growth in online training, webinars, and free personal development techniques online, there is a wealth of resources available to the budding leader. These must be used to enhance your skills and be an enjoyable way to learn.
Lead from the back/servant leadership
One of the most prominent changes to the leadership debate has been the idea that you can lead from the back. It is a misnomer and a contradiction in terms based on the original understanding of leadership. However, it is still about managing to reach the original objectives by inspiring and encouraging others to achieve their bits of the puzzle and putting all these pieces together. It is about some of the softer leadership skills and the ability to be humble in a leadership position. The ability to listen carefully and then be empathetic are at the heart of servant leadership. The idea of acting as a steward of the business, enterprise, or country is key, in that ego cannot be part of your leadership skills if you realize that you are simply here, in the leadership position for the now, guarding and guiding the resources that are your employees and striving to develop them to be the best they can be. In this way, you will reach the overall objectives and do so with a team that has developed and grown with you. The servant-leader leads from the back; it is a newish concept in the field of leadership and is the one that arguably will most suit our modern world.
Leadership is a tricky subject, and as such, it is essential to be well versed in this aspect of modern life, business, and politics. The more you know about the people you lead, the overall objectives or end goal, and the manner in which you intend to get there, the better your chances are at successful leadership.