Deb Dutta

A new year always presents new opportunity to evaluate and plan on how you can become a better leader. The great leaders are always looks for ways to improve themselves constantly. Here are five great ways to make yourself into a better leader this year.

1. Leading starts with clarity

By clarity, I of course mean communication…As I have stated numerous times, communication is integral to any company, sports team, etc.  If you as a leader cannot clearly communicate to your employees or teammates what is expected of them, how are they supposed to go about effectively doing their job?  But this also extends to clarifying individual goals within your company.  So take some time and clarify what is expected of your employees and teammates and your company as a whole. 

2. Reassess your process or strategy?

A new year should mean you take a look at yourself as a leader, the people you work with, the processes that everyone uses and the strategies that are employed throughout the company.  Change is usually met with resistance but if you involve the employees by asking them what they think would work best you will end up improving the company as a whole.  More importantly this will make your employees feel like their opinion is valued.  But it is also time for you as a leader to look at yourself and to see what you can do differently whether it be how you motivate your team and more importantly yourself.

3. Manage by walking around (MBWA)

Instead of sitting in your office all day, a great way to get to know your fellow employees is just by walking around and checking up on them.  Ask them what they are doing, how their work is going, how are things at home, etc.  This is also a great way to motivate people…while you are walking around if you see someone doing a good job publicly thank him/her for their work.  This will lead to increased motivation throughout the office and more importantly increased motivation.  I have found that positive reinforcement is much more effective than negative reinforcement.

4. Don’t be afraid to admit failure

Too many people are afraid of failing and are even more afraid of admitting that they failed.  It’s a part of life and admitting your failures is one of the best ways you can than learn from your mistakes.  I have learned more from my failures than I have from my accomplishments.  As former United States Secratary of State Colin Powell
put it “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”  So remember no one is prefect.

5. Understand how people work

Everyone has their own way of working.  Some people need to be told they are doing are good job and others internally motivated.  Certain employees may be able to perform their work better at home, while some employees need that office atmosphere.  You as a leader need to know the many types of personalities that are within your company.  How do you motivate an individual if you don’t know anything about them?  That is where “Managing by Walking Around” comes into to play.  You get to know the people you work with and how to properly motivate them.  Every day is different and outside forces can cause major distractions such as sporting events, for more read When Work Seems Too Much Like Play.  It is your job to keep people on task and fully motivated.