Top 10 Leadership Skills That Will Accelerate Performance

There has been a dramatic change in the role of a leader over the years. In the past, leaders seemed to have all the answers, but now we need people who are not just authoritative and confident at the helm. In a post-pandemic world, leaders need training and development to stay up to date. Here are the top ten leadership skills that will increase performance.

• Commitment to Communication

You need to know how your employees think to better communicate with them. To be an effective leader and manager, you need different skills. You no longer complete your work alone, you achieve results with others. As HR consultants, we have seen that miscommunication within a business can often led to a myriad of issues that could have been prevented — or managed efficiently— had there been better clarity in its delivery.

• If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail

It is important to establish goals and expectations for your employees so that they know what is expected of them. It also allows you to measure progress. Your employees may become less productive and efficient if you do not do this. Preparation is key when delivering a challenging message. A successful outcome will be hampered by inadequate planning. So why risk it? Hot tip: Avoid texting to make your point across, especially when it is not the usual mode of communication. 

• Conflict Prevention

Life is full of conflict, but you don't have to let it control you. Often, it is the result of people interpreting things differently and then perception becomes reality. Using specific language and avoiding phrases that could be misinterpreted may help you avoid conflict. Maintain a fair tone and refrain from using accusatory language. This is unprofessional and may be interpreted as an attempt to place blame.

• Lead by Example 

It is your responsibility to evaluate your employees' work, but keep in mind that they are also evaluating you as their leader as well. They are asking themselves, “Does my leader follow what they preach?” Leaders demonstrate what is acceptable behaviour. You set the tone for your employees, so they watch what you do and draw conclusions. If you want to shape their behaviour, start first by assessing your own.

• Be Fair, Firm, and Friendly

The most productive employees are those who are happy at work. It is important for a leader to be respectful of their employees' needs and opinions, regardless of whether they agree with them. An effective leader is one who listens to their employees and collaborates with them to find the best solution. Clarify your understanding by summarising what has been said. After that, give them an opportunity to correct you. 

• Are You Available for Your Team?

Leaders achieve results through others. As a leader, your team should always come first, so make time for them. It is safe to say, that an unavailable leader is a sure way to demotivate even the most engaged employees. The best way to avoid this is to dedicate sufficient time to your team each day and/or each week. Unless there’s something urgent, stick to the plan you have made with your employees.

• The Art of Delegation

In the absence of delegation, your employees are being deprived from learning and development. Their lack of engagement can be frustrating to them, and the absence of autonomy create bottlenecks. In your daily work environment, delegation should be considered a daily practice.

Maintain an open line of communication. It is demotivating for an employee to find out their hard work and effort have been changed without having a chance to communicate with them. 

• Getting the Balance Right

Any leader can struggle in finding the balance between delegation and micromanagement. Because of this, some leaders are hands-off to avoid micromanagement. Whether you're a seasoned leader or training for leadership, mastering the art of delegation in your day-to-day routine benefits both your team and you. 

• The Importance of Feedback

Feedback is the wheel that moves performance forward, for both employees and business leaders. For it to be beneficial, it needs to be given in a timely manner. 

It might sound counter-intuitive, but as HR consultants, we’ve seen it all, including leaders who are silent about giving feedback. Unfortunately, this could backfire since it could encourage poor performance, complacency or sends a message that you don’t care.

If you don’t provide prompt and relevant feedback, you may be missing an opportunity in improving your business performance. For business leaders who need help with training and development in a post-pandemic world, we can help. HR can be painful. We do the heavy lifting, so you can focus on running the show. Get help now. Contact us today.