Improving leadership skills allows for advancement within a company and increases the performance of those you work with. Patrick Donadio, leadership communications coach and creator of “Grade Yourself as a Leader,” spoke at The Car Wash Show 2013. In his session, he identified 14 traits successful leaders possess. Here are six key traits to help you reach your next level of leadership.
Circulating the workplace will make you appear more approachable and available. Take advantage of every opportunity to interact with co-workers. Be supportive of others and try to help out with the little things. Management by wandering around (MBWA) works! Make sure to practice visibility upwards as well as downwards.
Don’t be a tyrant one day and a pushover the next. Flip-flopping between
Styles confuses employees. Make consistent decisions and stick with one style of leadership. Those who look to you for leadership must know what to expect on a daily basis. It is important not to bring personal feelings to the workplace. Focus on the situation or issue, not on the person.
Initiate conversations to help find solutions. Asking questions is a great way to initiate conversations and make many of them open-ended. Create an atmosphere where creative juices can flow freely. Encourage change throughout the workplace and continually strive to get better. An optimistic attitude from a leader can carry over to others. Ask, “What can we do better as a company?” Make the future better than the present.
Leaders accept challenges as well as successes. If an employee makes a mistake, it is your responsibility to help him or her improve. Employees will never respect a leader who deflects criticism towards his or her team. Successful leaders think of themselves as “we” not “I.” It is a leader’s responsibility to ensure that everyone shares in the team’s success.
The most important characteristic of a leader is being a good listener. Focus on the needs of your employees. Open the doors of two-way communication. Don’t fall into the trap of telling others what to do without considering their opinions. No person, at any age, enjoys being told what to do. Your employees battle in the trenches and connect daily with the customer. It is important to embrace their suggestions because you don’t know everything. Create a participative team environment, ask questions and solicit their suggestions.
Most people care more about recognition from peers than about money. When an employee performs well, let him or her know. Each day give five sincere compliments to various workers in your section. Be on the lookout for something they did well and give them a bit of praise. Happy people give better customer service. Create awards and rewards of good customer service.