Eleven principles for effective leadership

Being an effective leader is no easy business. Those in positions of power have to develop and grow their skills, knowledge and behaviour to ensure they lead well, promoting the values and culture of the business, while also being an inspiring figurehead to their team.

Below are some key principles that can help guide you on this journey of effective leadership.

1) Lead by example

Effective leaders establish how everyone, whether colleagues or customers should be treated. Good leaders set standards of excellence with their actions setting an example for others to follow.

2) Create common values within your organisation

Great leaders believe they can make a difference, creating common values about what their organisation can become. Through a combination of charisma and persuasion, they visualise the future and motivate people to believe in the purpose and possibilities.

3) Put people first

It sounds simple but good leadership is about people. Leaders should recognise the contributions that individuals make and regularly celebrate achievements, making people feel like heroes within the organisation. This is also the time when effective leaders should promote diversity, recognising everyone’s achievements.

4) Listen up!

Good leaders can not only command a crowd through their oratory but should also understand the value of listening as well. This goes for people throughout the organisation, not just the C-suite.

5) Collaboration is key

While recognising solo achievements is important, successful leaders recognise that if you work together you achieve more.

6) Don’t stagnate 

If it ain’t broke… break it. Be innovative wherever you can, move with the times and use technology to offer your customers what they want whether that’s shorter lead times, greater product variety or availability in more places.

7) The future is bright…people 

Don’t just focus on your existing senior management team. Instead, help to develop future leaders through initiatives such as buddy schemes, mentoring, regular appraisals and an open door policy as far as new ideas is concerned.

8) Communicate effectively

Whether it’s town hall meetings, group-wide emails or one-on-ones, be ready to communicate in whichever means will get the message across and will enable you to be heard and vice versa.

9) Be human and admit mistakes

Rather than losing you respect, admitting and taking responsibility for your mistakes is not only the fastest path to moving past them, it will also give credence to your leadership.

10) Embracing the power of change

Far from fearing change, embrace it. Being able to embrace change will make your organisation more adaptable and help to encourage continuous improvement. Think of change in a more proactive way and new opportunities and knowledge within the organisation will follow.

11) Don’t stop learning

And finally, you’re never the finished article as a leader. Take the chance to continuously brush-up on your leadership skills wherever you can.