Leverage Leadership Strengths: Breaking Leadership Stigma

Leverage Leadership Strengths: Breaking Leadership Stigma

One of the profound strengths of a leader is when you are able to develop and nurture the potential of your employees. Since people differ from each other, you would have to know the right approach to leadership in order to bring out their strengths as individuals and as a team. 

However, the common mistake that managers do is focusing on their people’s weaknesses rather than their strengths. 

With this on hand, it’s essential to learn how you can leverage your leadership strengths as a manager.

1. Give your employees space to commit mistakes

Most leaders want their employees to be perfect, yet they do not realize that, in order for employees to learn, they have to go through several mistakes.

Just like diamonds, they have to go through several processes of polishing before they can shine. Therefore, as a leader, you cannot expect to be handed with a diamond. You have to be there in the process of making one.

You have to give your people space to commit mistakes. Always remember that it doesn’t mean that they haven’t done it right the first time, they are slow or they do not take their job seriously.
Most of the time, the best learning tool are experiences and committing mistakes.

For example, you have a new team member. The member has just learned about the different processes in the office. Therefore, it’s understandable not to expect the employee to learn everything immediately. Give them space to take it in the things during the training.

As a new employee, it would be demoralizing to be nagged shortly after you join the team because you committed a simple error. It can decrease self-confidence and would make the employee feel they are not good enough.

As a leader, you have to take into consideration the adjustment period of your team member. You also have to be open and be available in case the employee has questions.

2. Allow your employees to grow as themselves.

One of the essential roles of a leader is to guide your employees and nurture their potential as individuals. Remember that if things worked out for you during your time doesn’t mean that it should also be the path your team members should take.

Do not force your employees to be like you. Allow them to be like them; as individuals who have different sets of strengths and weaknesses.

One of the most common mistakes that managers commit is thinking that their employees should be like them. It shouldn’t be that way. You must push your people to be more than what you have become by building key strengths as individuals.

3. Highlight their strengths.

More than the feeling of being unappreciated, employees feel demoralized if the only thing their managers see is their mistakes. You get remembered for the one mistake you did but do not even get recognized for an achievement.

Therefore, as a leader, you must focus on your people’s strength. Learn to appreciate them for their contributions may it be a grand one or a little deed that helped your team.

By focusing on your people’s strength, you will be able to strategize your team in such a way that they can maximize their strengths and complement each other’s weaknesses. Connecting employees’ strengths and passions can be an excellent way to bring out the best in them.

4. Treat them as human beings.

In order to leverage your skills as a leader, it is essential to know how to handle your people.

People want to be treated as human beings and not as machines. It is something every leader should realize. Thinking that your employees are milking cows or work machines can only mechanize them.

By doing so, you might put off their passion for their job, and this could lead to even more significant problems in the future.

5. Set an example.

When we say set an example, it doesn’t mean showing your employees all your strengths. That’s setting it to idealistically.

It’s time to show your people that you are human too and that you are someone who commits mistakes as well. It doesn’t mean you have to lag of your managerial duties. It just means that you have to show a more realistic picture of what leadership is – imperfect but not mediocre.

You can bring out your team’s profound strengths if you foster an environment that will make them feel comfortable doing so. You’d know that you’ve been successful as a leader if you have created more leaders rather than mere followers. Learn more about Leadership strengths, Development & Training.

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