Employers across the nation learned about the importance of strong leadership when they experienced the COVID-19 crisis of 2020. When the effects of the pandemic changed the face of the workplace as we knew it, employers understood how imperative effective leaders are to an organization’s success. Leadership in the workplace is the act or process of influencing a group of individuals within an organization to achieve a specific goal. Leadership does not necessarily depend on formal authority or power but on social influence, and leaders must bring many different skills, traits, behaviors, and values to the table.
Leadership in the Workplace
In any working environment, an effective leader will bring out the best in an organization. But effective leadership also entails identifying and assessing every staff member’s diverse aptitudes, skills, and talents and harnessing their proficiencies in pursuit of a common goal. Individuals who exhibit strong leadership skills can positively influence other team members through personal magnetism, self-confidence, and an in-depth understanding of the positions of those they are attempting to lead. A leader also has the self-assuredness to demonstrate the kind of behavior that they expect from those who work with them.
Management V. Leadership
When people discuss the concepts inherent in management or leadership, they often refer to these terms interchangeably, but there are distinctive differences. The role of a manager is to supervise and ensure the use of proper procedures and manage performance in the workplace. But the men and women who embody the role of a leader are visionaries who guide others toward success by showing them the way forward, setting a good example, and unifying the efforts of the organization to ensure success.
Every successful company needs strong leaders within the organization to align its mission, values, and goals with those of its workers. Effective leadership in the workplace can be taught over the course of a career. And customized leadership training can help those with critical positions prepare for the organization’s future.
Why Leadership in the Workplace is Crucial to Your Success
Businesses require innovative leaders to help guide others within the organization. Strong leaders provide the vision and the direction necessary to help motivate and inspire others to achieve specific goals. Leaders assist in the creation of positive work environments and help others to achieve success by promoting communication and collaboration among team members. Employers who want to achieve their objectives require strong leadership and effective management. Some of the ways strong leadership can help your organization include:
· Improving Communication
Clear communication is essential for any team to operate effectively. One of the primary functions of a strong leader is to facilitate communication. Influential leaders understand the importance of keeping the lines of communication open and know that inclusive environments are those where all staff members are comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. By ensuring employees have an opportunity to express their views, concerns, and opinions, a leader can create a work culture where everyone’s thoughts are welcome.
· Creating a Positive Work Environment
Leaders have a profound impact on all members of the staff. Leaders can establish an atmosphere where employees thrive on trust and respect, fostering the creativity and collaboration necessary for success. Employee morale is often significantly higher in workplaces where leadership is present. When employees feel supported by those in charge, their motivation can soar.
· Increasing Productivity
Influential leaders strive to increase the team’s productivity by interacting in encouraging and supportive ways. A team with a strong leader to guide them effectively will be more productive and achieve greater success. Employees who feel valued become more motivated and are more likely to be effective. Conversely, an ineffective management style can cause workers to disengage and lose interest in their work.
· Improving Efficiency
Leaders can help enhance worker effectiveness by ensuring everyone is focused on the same goal and striving to do their best. A productive leader can help improve an organization’s productivity by motivating the team to perform at the highest level. When strong leaders take the time to know their team, they can ensure that each team member performs a job best suited to their abilities.
· Avoiding Errors
Capable leaders are essential for any organization that strives for excellence. Businesses function smoothly when they take the necessary steps to reduce the margin of error. This kind of efficiency is critical in high-pressure environments where inaccuracies or errors in judgment can result in severe consequences. Influential leaders must be able to identify potential problems in the workplace to avoid costly mistakes.
· Motivating the Team
Good leaders know how to motivate their employees. They understand that people are different and what works for one employee may not work for another. As a result, leaders must take the time to get to know each of their team members and discover their assets and liabilities. Strong leaders also can effectively create a positive work environment where employees know they are valued and appreciated. When employees have the experience of being a part of a high-functioning team and know that their contributions matter, they are more likely to become productive, engaged, and motivated.
· Setting the Standard
An effective leader knows that being a model for good behavior is one of the best ways to inspire others. People are more likely to emulate someone they view as a role model. Leaders must become an example and behave as they expect from their team members. By being an individual who exemplifies the values and goals of the organization, true leaders can demonstrate to others within the organization what it means to be a committed and successful team member.
· Being Inspirational
A great leader can instill a sense of purpose in others within the organization. When employers are led to believe that they are working towards something greater than themselves, they are more likely to expend the effort required to achieve it. Influential leaders know how to inspire a sense of purpose and motivate others to attain new heights.
· Creating a Vision
Successful leaders understand the value of having a vision of what could be and how to create the path that leads the organization toward a successful tomorrow. Leaders can clearly express their expectations and articulate their ideas in ways that inspire and motivate others. An effective leader with a strong vision can energize an entire organization by creating a sense of direction and purpose. Success can be attainable by expressing a clear vision and maintaining the momentum necessary to progress toward long-term goals.
· Focusing on the Goal
Once the company’s vision is well-articulated and presented in an understood way, sound leadership can keep employees focused on reaching the goal. This requires clear communication of the company’s vision, restating objectives as progress is made and changes occur, and providing the necessary support and resources to keep going. Maintaining lines of communication throughout the life of a project is imperative. It means staying focused and positive when challenges arise and ensuring that all employees receive the support they need to stay focused. A leader’s faith in their team will help keep the group on track to achieve the organization’s objectives.
Qualities of an Effective Leader
- Confidence
People often follow the example of a leader who believes in themselves and their vision of the future. When leaders exhibit an abundance of confidence, it signals that they are sure of themselves and what they are attempting to achieve. When certainty at the top of an organization motivates others throughout an organization, it can have a positive effect on morale and productivity.
- Empathy
Empathy is a leader’s ability to understand the situation of people around their team. When leaders apply an empathic response to their workers, it will facilitate effective communication and trust among the team members. Meaningful relationships begin with leaders who display empathy and an in-depth understanding of how their behavior affects others. Empathetic leaders know how to approach people who are experiencing challenging situations, and they know how to adjust their approach depending on what the worker needs.
- Vision
Communicating a clear vision of the pathway leading to a goal sets leaders apart from managers. Visionary leaders require a thorough knowledge of their organization, its potential for success, and the imagination needed to break down preventative barriers.
- Authenticity
Authenticity in leadership means adhering to certain principles even though challenges arise. Leaders must personify the organization’s moral compass and be someone who can guide with integrity even during uncertain times. When a leader makes mistakes, they will own and learn from them. It means being open to other people’s differing opinions and unusual ideas and having the courage to provide honest feedback. Being authentic is essential for leaders focused on building the respect necessary to avoid misunderstandings and get things done.
- Decisiveness
Leaders must believe in their abilities to make sound decisions that will lead to a brighter future. Effective leadership also requires decisiveness, knowledge, and the ability to accept advice from others.
Decisive leaders will gain the confidence of their team and show they are willing to take responsibility for a project’s direction. But being decisive also means leaders must be accountable for their good and bad decisions. It means accepting the consequences when things go awry and sharing success when there is a positive outcome.
Conclusion
Leadership in the workplace is a combination of skills that include vision, decisiveness, communication, and the ability and willingness to motivate people from many different backgrounds.
Achieving success on an organizational level always begins with a strong leader. These are the people within your organization that you want in place during times of crisis. Leaders provide guidance, inspiration, and motivation, and they possess the knowledge and the necessary skills to make informed decisions and solve problems effectively. Healthy, effective leadership is essential for any business’s full potential.
Call Treaty Oak Team Now for a Free Consultation
Successful companies require strong leaders. Have you considered leadership training to prepare your next generation for tomorrow? For more information about customized leadership training for your company, call us at Treaty Oak to schedule a free consultation now. Contact the firm’s founding member, Natalie Lynch, at 512 298-2346 or here.
Meet Treaty Oak’s Leadership Team:
· About Natalie R. Lynch
Natalie R. Lynch is the founding member of Treaty Oak. She is a business and employment law attorney in Austin, Texas, who has demonstrated expertise in workplace employment law, entity formations, and workplace investigations. Natalie is also the incoming Chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section and serves in leadership roles for the Texas State Bar Association, including the International Bar Section and the Animal Law Section. In Colorado, Natalie was a two-term president of the Aurora Bar Association, the first recipient of the Colorado Bar Association’s Future Leaders award, and a member of the Bar Association’s Executive Council.
· About Dr. Lindsey Lee
Lindsey M. Lee is a senior consultant with over 15 years of experience in corporate training, workplace investigations, leadership, and organizational development, change management, culture management, and litigation avoidance. Lindsey holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, an M.A. in Forensic Psychology, and a B.S. in Experimental Psychology. She is a member of and frequent speaker for the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Lindsey has authored multiple publications in prominent academic journals, including the International Journal of Management and Decision Making and The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist.
