Six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and MVP five times. If there was ever a person with natural talent, Michael Jordan was it. From the time he was a young boy, he never stopped pushing himself. His father said, “The person Michael tries to outdo most is himself.”
You may not be slam-dunk material, but as a manager you should never stop developing yourself. Just like some athletes, many great leaders are born with a certain amount of natural talent. And just like those athletes, they have to expand on that talent with continuous training and, in the field of management, education. The responsibility falls on them to move forward with drive and desire. If you want to become a great leader, be like Mike and take the bull by the horns. In this game called life, it’s all up to your personal motivation. Here are three quick ways to become a great leader.
Commitment to Growth
As a manager, set goals for yourself and your company. Once the goals are set, you can begin establishing a plan to achieve them. Without a plan, you’re like a player who dribbles and never shoots: up, down, up, down, with no momentum moving down the court. Your company’s success depends on the growth of you and your team, so set clear and realistic goals and objectives for both. Set milestones and offer incentives. The end goal should always be your objective, but the day-to-day goals are what will show your growth and progress.
Stand by Your Word
To be a great leader, you should understand that your word is everything. The relationship you build with your team is based on trust. If you want to earn and keep the respect of your team, them not being able to trust you is not an option. The quickest way to lose that trust is to go back on your word. If you promise a reward for a project successfully completed, make sure your team gets the reward. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Ask for Feedback
As a leader, your first role is to lead… However, that does not mean that you should never stop and ask for feedback. Whether it is guidance from a mentor, or suggestions from your team, you should welcome feedback. You will never grow yourself without guidance at every level. The only place for ego in business is at the door, so check it there. You are human, and your team will respect the fact that you are including them in your growth.
As a manager it is easy to be a boss, but it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and drive to be a leader. A leader needs to set the standards, from the way they dress to the effort they put forth. Set your goals, keep your word, and ask for feedback. Let your team know that you are there for them, as well as with them.