Unique perspectives on what makes a great leader
All entrepreneurs and leaders have different experiences and perspectives on the approach and qualities required for effective leadership. And not all situations require the same leadership style. Great leaders adapt to their environment and empower the team to be successful together.
Many experts from myriad leadership books and articles agree on certain principles necessary to lead a team to greatness, but when it comes down to it, the most important factor is whether or not the leader gets the job done.
My leadership philosophy has evolved over time through research, combat experience as a Navy SEAL, and my successes and failures in running my own business. I believe that the best leaders are passionate about developing the emerging leaders around them, they are constantly working to improve their emotional intelligence, and they know that a strong team culture is the foundation for mission accomplishment. They are in a constant state of preparedness and embrace the inevitable changes their businesses will face.
For the purposes of this article, however, I wanted to gather the perspectives of other business leaders by having them answer a question:
In your opinion, what makes a good manager?
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Your responses were collected in collaboration with the American Board of Experts ™. Here you are!
1 - Believe in their beliefs
“It's a mix of many things, but first and foremost it's about believing in your beliefs. You can't expect others to consider you a leader unless you have a solid confidence in your ideas. And once it is there, build on it by being a good communicator, listening to others, setting role models and doing your best and not giving up. Leadership is about being passionate about what you do and having confidence in yourself and your followers to motivate and inspire you. "
Matei Gavril, CEO of PrMediaOnline
2- Make the hard choice
“Great leaders make the hard choice and sacrifice themselves to improve the lives of others around them. As an entrepreneur, not only your family depends on you, but also the families of your employees. Every employee has a family. Even if you're a small business owner with four employees, essentially you may be responsible for another ten or fifteen people. "
Joel Farar, Farar Law Group
3 - Earn respect from the team
“The ability to show respect, empathy, and caring for those who follow you is attributed to a great leader. Earning respect is critical to having a successful relationship with someone, while also showing that you care about their work or ideas. Being empathetic enables a leader to tap into that person's emotions and connect in a way that lets that person know that you understand what it means to be in their situation. The combination of all three of these traits can definitely make someone a great leader. These are things I am constantly working on with my own co-workers and myself to become a better leader for those who are important to me. "
Brandon Swenson, SEO Pros
4 - Know the team
“Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each individual in order to effectively manage the results of a team is essential to success. Executives have great vision and use the resources available to solve problems incorrectly. These are the most important qualities of a real manager that work equally well in our professional and private lives. "
Alex Gerasimov, Insomnia Escape Room DC
5 - Know that people are the key to success
“A great leader understands that it is the people who lead them that ultimately determine the success or failure of a company. You surround yourself with great people who you can develop into a team of competent, self-confident personalities who can work well in a team. They then have the ability to lead that team to a well-defined vision by clearly communicating short and long-term goals, instilling trust and trust among colleagues, and influencing collective efforts through character rather than a position of authority. Ultimately, a great leader creates and promotes other leaders. "