Leadership is not just a position or a title, but a mindset and a skill that can be developed and improved.

If you are a leader, I’m sure you recognise that working hard is only half of the criteria for you to succeed. Effective leaders are responsible for inspiring, motivating, and guiding their teams to achieve their goals and vision.

That’s a far cry from saying you are just going to show up and make sure everyone does their jobs.

Millennials make up the majority of the current workforce, so if you are in leadership and wondering what you can do to be more effective, here are five things that all good leaders should do at work:

1. Care for your colleagues

Horatio in CSI Miami, is one of my favorite examples of a great leader. He is supportive, appreciates diversity, understands the strengths of his team, individually and provides them with challenges, coaching, and constructive feedback.

A good leader is not only concerned with the results but also with the well-being and development of their team members.

Emotional intelligence is a learnable skill that helps us to show empathy, compassion, and respect to our colleagues and creates a positive and supportive work environment.

Employees, in turn, are more productive and show more initiative when they work with leaders who appreciate their contributions and value their individual and collective strengths.

2. Work with enthusiasm

You know the saying one good apple spoils the barrel, well I believe that one good apple can save an entire crop. A good leader who is optimistic, energetic and confident can literally change an entire organisation because of the way they show up.

Leaders who are passionate about their work and their purpose, demonstrate that passion through their actions and words and they inspire others to feel the same way.

Working with enthusiasm also means communicating the big picture to your team clearly, persuasively and often.

When people feel connected to a big, exciting idea they are motivated and loyal… there’s no price we can put on that. And obviously, this translates to productivity and profitability for any organisation.

3. Know your job is important and act accordingly.

Nonchalance and apathy have no place in the skill set of a good leader. Good leaders understand the impact and significance of their work, and they take their responsibilities seriously.

If you are leading a team, take the time to understand what you are supposed to do. Outsourcing work is smart if you want to leverage the time saved to create and strategize. But if you outsource or pass off work because you do not want to do it or are unsure of how to do it, that’s dishonest.

Employees notice when leaders are not accountable, reliable, and trustworthy, and when they do not deliver on their promises and commitments. Employees keep standards and strive for excellence based on how seriously their leader treats his or her responsibilities.

4. Your title does not define you.

Sis, this life would humble you real quick. You should know that a good leader is down to earth, relatable, respectful and approachable.

And yes, we will have people that we are closer to than others. We may never completely get rid of biases, but when you are a leader, as far as possible, you MUST treat people equally and fairly.

Take the time to know your people and influence them with your character and competence instead of your designated authority or status.

I’ve found people who flex their ‘title card’ the hardest are the ones with the most insecurity about how they got their position. They walk around with an inflated sense of importance, demanding respect because of the position they hold. But deep down, they are afraid that someone else can do what they do better and if that happens, they will be left with nothing. Sad right?

You are not your position, you are a child of God, important, wise, talented and put on this earth to serve others with your gifts. And while your gifts will bring you before great men and women, you are just a vessel with really cute shoes. Serve and be served, dassit.

5. Maintain an open mind

They lied, curiosity did not kill the cat. A good leader is curious, creative, and adaptable, and they embrace change and innovation.

You have to be willing to explore new possibilities and opportunities and encourage your team to do the same.

We do not know it all, so don’t be afraid to challenge your own assumptions and beliefs. We also live in a day and time where information is everywhere, so seek feedback, do research, have evidence to support your decisions and stand on them.

Leading others can be intimidating and fraught with challenges but it is an opportunity for you to grow and to make an indelible impact on the lives of others.

As you continue coaching and developing others in your leadership role, remember to care for your colleagues, work with enthusiasm, act like your job is important, remember that your title does not define you and maintain an open mind. These five things will help you to be an even more effective leader.

Are there other ways you’ve discovered that help you to be an effective leader? Be sure to leave a comment so that we learn from each other.

Thank you for reading

Have a beautiful day and keep doing your most