Top 12 Tips to Become an Effective Leader

Napoleon Hill, the famous American author of Think and Grow Rich obtained the material for his book by shadowing many famous and successful people. Hill set out on a journey spanning multiple years to understand their secrets and their mindset.

Eventually, with careful observation, Hill was able to gather a proven list of leadership qualities seen in cases of effective management. 

This article will highlight traits of effective leaders and provide you with tips to cultivate these qualities.The information mentioned below is inspired and loosely based on a LinkedIn Study on Napoleon Hill’s book. (Source:LinkedIn)

Advice for Leaders: How to develop effective leadership skills

How do you know if you are a leader?
As John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”. (Source: azquotes)

Leadership is not just a title or a position, it's a set of qualities and skills that can inspire and guide others towards success. The importance of leadership cannot be overlooked within any sector of life. Without a good leader, it is virtually impossible to reach maximum potential in life.

An effective leader is the cornerstone of any thriving organisation, always driving innovation, collaboration, and growth. Furthermore, effective leadership qualities include much more than just management, they involve the subtle talents of inspiring others by being a role model, mentor, and visionary.

12 Tips to Become Effective Leaders: Honing Effective Leadership Skills 

1. Follow your inner guidance: Great leadership is marked by a strong connection with your inner self. Those who solve problems and shine the light on others are those who lead. 
2. Do not be easily persuaded, learn to say no, and stick with it: Great leaders are not easily convinced or seduced into doing things they would not choose to do themselves. An effective leader must have the ability to say no and stick with their decision. If not for themselves, at least for the individuals who follow them. This often requires a great deal of patience and selflessness.
3. Lead by example: Set a high standard for yourself as your actions will be closely observed by your team. If you display the qualities you expect from others, it will inspire them to follow suit. Effective leaders communicate clearly and frequently. Ensure that your team understands their roles, goals, and your expectations.
4. Lead by service: Nothing speaks louder than actions. Your passion and work style must be able to inspire your co-workers and subordinates more than your words. Serve them before they serve you.

5. Listen to productive feedback: Be open to receiving feedback from your team. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement.
6. Give helpful suggestions over accusations: Recognise and celebrate achievements. Acknowledging your team's efforts boosts morale and motivation. If any area needs improvement, adopt a gentle form of communication to convey the message. This will encourage the team to come back to you for feedback rather than shy away from your presence.
7. Help and be compassionate: Invest in the growth and development of your team. Offer opportunities for training and skill enhancement. Compassion involves understanding another’s pain as if it were your own.
8. Always focus on how things can go right: A positive outlook on situations, while not being ignorant of its darkness, is what fuels humans to achieve great success. Cultivate a nevertheless attitude.
9. Never be swayed by the popular vote: A leader must never be controlled by the popular vote; a lion never follows the gossip of the sheep. Stand higher and be the influencer, not the influenced.
10. Have an attitude of service and not rulership: Encourage your team members to take initiative and make decisions. Empowerment fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.
11. Learn to enjoy solitude: Greek philosopher and thinker Aristotle once said, “Whosever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a God.” Enjoying solitude can enable you to make clear decisions that come from the clarity of your soul.
12. Choose friends who are smarter and wiser than you: When you are surrounded by people better than you, you will always be learning. This way you can avoid stagnation of growth through elements like pride and arrogance. Stay humble.

What is effective leadership?

Effective leadership is the art of influencing and guiding a group of individuals or an organisation towards a common goal while simultaneously fostering a positive work environment. 

Leadership goes beyond mere management and supervision. Effective leaders inspire, motivate, and enable their teams to reach their full potential, resulting in both enhanced productivity and job satisfaction.

Traits of an effective leader: 

1. Strong communication skills: Effective leaders are exceptional communicators. They convey their ideas clearly and listen attentively to their team members. Communication fosters understanding and collaboration.
2. Confidence: Leaders need to believe in themselves and their vision. Confidence is contagious and inspires trust in others.
3. Adaptability: The business landscape is constantly changing, and effective leaders adapt to new situations and remain open to innovative ideas.
4. Empathy: Leaders understand their team's needs and feelings. Empathy promotes a healthy work environment and strong relationships.
5. Decisiveness: Effective leaders make informed decisions promptly, and know indecision can lead to stagnation.
6. Integrity: Leaders act with honesty and integrity, building trust within the team to foster a sense of ethics in their organisation.
7. Resilience: Leadership often comes with challenges. Resilient leaders remain composed and steadfast in the face of adversity.
8. Inspirational: Leaders inspire their teams to achieve greatness. They set a compelling vision and encourage others to follow.
9. Strategic thinking: Effective leaders are strategic, and look beyond the day-to-day tasks to plan ahead. Know more about  Strategic leadership skills here.
10. Delegation: Leaders trust their team to handle tasks efficiently. Delegation empowers team members and enhances productivity.
11. Problem-solving skills: Leaders are skilled problem solvers. They tackle issues proactively, finding solutions instead of dwelling on problems.
12. Accountability: Leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Accountability sets a positive example for the team. 

What is the most effective leadership style?

(Source: Types of leadership)

The most effective leadership style varies depending on the situation and the team you are leading. Some common leadership styles include:

• Transformational leadership: This type of leadership embodies active efforts to inspire and motivate the team to achieve beyond their capabilities. They set a compelling vision and encourage innovation.

• Servant leadership: Servant leaders always prioritise the needs of their team members over their own needs. This type of leadership focuses on supporting and developing the team to achieve collective goals.

• Democratic leadership: Democratic leaders involve their team in crucial decision-making. This approach promotes collaboration and shared responsibility.

• Autocratic leadership: Autocratic leaders make decisions independently. This style is effective in situations that require quick decision-making.

• Laissez-faire leadership: Laissez-faire leaders provide significant autonomy to their team. This style is effective when team members are highly skilled and self-motivated.

Effective leadership is a continuous journey of self-improvement and growth. By embodying the traits of a good leader and following our top 12 tips, you can become a remarkable leader who inspires others to reach their full potential.

If you would like to develop yourself as a leader, we highly recommend enrolling on courses at the London School of Business and Finance, UK (LSBF). LSBF is a renowned institution, known for its high-quality educational courses and its standing as an example of outstanding education.

You can check out management courses and executive leadership programmes to develop effective leadership skills at LSBF.