“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch.
Great leaders look at their subordinates as their wealth; they invest in them and encourage their growth. To measure the success of a leader, see the essence of success over their team. If you want to be an extraordinary leader, you can stretch some way-to-success muscles as seen below:
Listen: Nothing could be more effective than giving someone a caring eye and a patient ear. Listen to understand, analyze, and polish your insight. If you work on this skill, I guarantee you will become a lovable leader with a highly sharpened and accurate vision. Always spread the vibes of availability; wear your smile, interact with others, and use your effective body language, facial expressions, and skillful intonation. Leaders are not robotic; they are the best of the best.
Inspire: We can never forget the first time of anything; especially if it is a passion. Become part of your followers’ memories by exploring their hidden talents. Be the Columbus of your work; discover your followers’ unknown strong areas. Urge them to become the best version of themselves. Encourage creativity and innovation as they are your ultimate tools for a healthy and positive environment. Appreciate suggestions and always consider and welcome new ideas and activities. Invite the spirit of competition, and master the art of fair and wise judgment. Leaders are born to support, invest in, and transform their followers into unique people.
Delegate: Routine is a cancer. It is the silent secret killer for almost everything. Be proactive and fight it with intellect. Offer your members a bite of your to-do list. Let them feel important and excited, and find a space for more effective planning. The more you trust them, the more they will work. Let their accomplished tasks be followed with a thank-you email from your side and do not forget to CC your senior(s). Be proud of your team; they are your final impressive product.
Give feedback: Smart leaders want more. Those who taste success cannot get enough of it. Nothing could guarantee improvement, except feedback. Offer daily advice, weekly comments, and monthly notes. Never postpone or cancel appraisals and pay attention to them. Be quick with positive feedback, and slow with criticism. You are a conductor, you are brought to handle, coach, manage and organize to maintain harmony that leads to a final shiny performance.
Some people are born charismatic, but the majority of successful and effective leaders are made out of constant hard and smart work. Great work comes by making changes to oneself, and so are great leaders.
Samia Salama
Photography: Mahmoud Mansi
EDITORS: Sarah Shalaby & Nada Adel Sobhi