Who comes to mind when you hear the word “leader”? Is it a U.S. president, the CEO of your company, or the captain of your favorite team? We know the people in these roles are leaders, but does this mean you have to be a president, CEO or captain to become a leader?
Throughout my adult life, I have been learning more about leadership and how the role of a leader helps drive missions forward and influences the vision, goals, environment and culture around them. To me, a leader is not created overnight. A leader requires a mindset that is molded over years of learning, reading, growing, failures and vulnerability.
I also feel there’s a common misconception about a leader’s role and who can execute it. While a leader often presides over an organization, it takes time to get there. You can start strengthening your own leadership skills right now. Opportunities are likely within your work department, a local non-profit, a local community board, or even as a member of NTEA’s Generation Next.
Jack Kelly, founder and CEO of The Compliance Search Group and Wecruiter.io, published an article in Forbes titled, 10 Easy Ways To Become A Great Leader and Gain The Respect Of Your Team. These 10 tips really resonated with me. And best of all – these are all things that an aspiring leader such as an entry-level employee can put into practice from Day One. Those 10 easy tips include:
- Communication is the key to success.
- Clearly map out a plan and the expectations to achieve the goals.
- Empower people by providing whatever resources they need to succeed.
- Treat people with dignity and respect.
- Be consistent.
- Show employees that you trust and respect them.
- Lead by example. *One of my personal favorite examples.*
- Celebrate the little victories.
- Take everyone’s input and then act decisively.
- Don't micromanage.
As you move forward in your leadership journey, remember to learn as much as you can from other leaders, join a group like NTEA’s Generation Next to strengthen your skills, learn from your mistakes, and have fun growing!