The journey to leadership: essential skills to become an authentic leader
Ever dreamed of leading a bunch of employees to corporate glory, only to realize that the only bunch you're leading is the bunch of pens on your desk? Don't worry! Especially if you've taken the Management Trainee in-house course! Let's see how you can go from "Who is this guy?" to "Wow, I wanna be him when I grow up."
Effective communication: or how to talk without putting anyone to sleep
A true leader not only talks, but also listens. A good DJ knows when to play music and when to let the audience play. Try it:
- Speak clearly (not like a robot or an over-enthusiastic rapper)
- Active listening (don't think about what you're having for lunch while your colleague is telling you about the project)
- Tailor the message (speak to the Millennial in memes and the Baby Boomer in proverbs)
Emotional intelligence
It means to:
- Recognize your own emotions (yes, even when you want to throw the printer out the window)
- Understand other people's emotions (even the guy heating fish in the microwave)
- Stay calm in crisis situations (e.g. when someone forgets to save the annual report)
Strategic thinking:
A good leader sees the big picture. Like Monopoly, but in real life:
- Predict the future (no crystal balls, of course)
- Make decisions based on data (not horoscopes or what the cat dreamt)
- Develop action plans (more complex than "Step 1: Coffee. Step 2: ????. Step 3: Profit!")
The ability to inspire:
A true leader inspires the team to do their best:
- Get to know your team (their real names, not just "The guy with glasses" or "The girl with cats")
- Use everyone's strengths (if someone is good at Excel, don't make them write motivational poems)
- Set an example (if you want punctuality, don't be the last one to arrive last)
Adaptability:
The world is changing faster than 90s fashion. Be prepared:
- Learn new things (yes, even TikTok if you have to)
- Adapt to change (today it's the cloud, tomorrow it's AI, the day after tomorrow probably telepathy)
- Encourages innovation (but maybe not the time machine)
Integrity:
Integrity is like water - it's essential, but not everyone has it:
- Act on your values (even when no one is looking)
- Be a role model (except at the Christmas party, you can be yourself)
- Take responsibility (yes, even for the spilt coffee on your laptop)
Development continues:
A good leader is always evolving:
- Constant learning (books, courses, maybe even educational memes)
- Attend conferences (not just for the free buffet)
- Expand your network (LinkedIn is the new Facebook, only less fun)
The road to leadership is an obstacle course, except the obstacles are invisible and constantly moving. But with these skills at your fingertips, you'll go from "Who let this guy lead?" to "How can I be so cool?" Ready to become the next office super leader? Remember: a true leader is like wine- it gets better with time, but shouldn't be left alone in the cellar too long!
