3 habits that help leaders succeed
Former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower once said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” While there is a lot more to leadership than that, Eisenhower was right—a good leader creates passion among his or her team and encourages them to work toward a common goal.
The world of technology is changing at a rapid pace as data, people, and devices all begin to collide. Leading your team through the challenges of that change requires finely honed skills. Here are three practices to help power your position as an effective leader:
1. Delegate important tasks
Your team will feel most motivated when you trust them to do the job you’ve asked them to do. In fact, ownership is proven to drive performance time and time again. Let your team own projects, departments, and processes so you can focus on company goals and key initiatives. Hire the right people, trust them to succeed, and you won’t be disappointed.
As tempting as it can sometimes be, micro-management is counterproductive at all levels. It takes management’s focus off the forward-thinking, strategic picture and discourages individual and team accountability. Ownership has repeatedly been proven to drive performance, so empower your team to do the job they’ve been given. Then gain visibility into all steps of the process through a business management platform like ConnectWise.
2. Communicate often & effectively
Make sure you’re communicating with your staff as much and in as many ways as possible. Every person on your team should know your plan, vision, and where they fit into that vision. Work alongside them to help them advance. For today’s tech leaders, this is especially important. The skill gap is widening as new technologies emerge, so be sure to take time to communicate your needs and expectations. Above all, you want to reinforce your culture—stand for something and let them see that you’re passionate about it.
Nothing kills team performance faster than a lack of communication. Every team member who’s going to be evaluated on results deserves to understand the plan and their part in it. Having access to a ticketing system like ConnectWise keeps employees in the loop without having to track down someone ‘in the know’ or ask repetitive questions.
Beyond project-based communication, it’s a leader’s job to know how employees see their future within the company and provide paths to help them reach their goals. Building a team that shares your passion for the business only increases your potential for success.
3. Always think about the experience
What people think of your company defines who you are. Ensure you’re giving both customers and employees the right experience. Ask your customers about their experience and set up group meetings with your team, where they can share what’s working and what needs to be evaluated.
You’ve heard it before—perception is reality. You know how you define your business. But the way employees and customers feel about your company, along with what they think you stand for, provides the most realistic picture of who you really are. Strong leaders regularly question why things are being done as they are and whether there’s a better way. Being open to the answers and evaluating options for improvement serves not only to propel your growth, but can strengthen the loyalty of employees and clients involved in the change process.
One last tip for hungry leaders—reading is key, and knowledge is power. Good leaders never stop growing. Take time to learn from books, your peers, and experience. The more knowledge you acquire, the more you will learn about being a good leader. Here are a few must-reads on leadership:
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
ConnectWise has been helping tech business owners run a better business for more than 30 years, and we’ve discovered a thing or two about what makes successful business and great leaders.