Today we find that in most of the functions / fields, adequate level of leadership, which can deliver, is lacking. 

Important Leadership Skills for Workplace Success

In today’s times when so many different generations with quite different expectations are working, the role of leader becomes extremely important. Here are a few leadership skills that make a strong leader in the workplace.

1. Communication

As a leader, you need to be able to clearly explain to your employees everything from organizational goals to specific tasks. Leaders must master all forms of communication , including one-on-one, departmental, and full-staff conversations, as well as communication via the phone, email, video, chat, and social media.

Leaders should establish a steady flow of communication between themselves and their staff or team members, either through an open-door policy or regular conversations.

A large part of communication involves listening. Leaders should make themselves regularly available to discuss issues and concerns with employees. Every team member should feel the connect and have that confidence of availability of the leader.

2. Motivation

Leaders need to inspire their workers to go the extra mile for their organizations; just paying a fair salary to employees is typically not enough inspiration (although it is important too). There are a number of ways to motivate your subordinates / workers : you may build employee self-esteem through recognition and rewards, or by giving employees productive and challenging work. If we really see , even a worker is not an unskilled person, if we address as artisen in place of worker , it works.

Leaders must learn what motivators work best for their employees or team members to encourage productivity and passion. Leaders should be able to show value in the work the employees are doing. Always remember even the simplest of works are important. Even a small screw is important for functioning of a big machine.

3. Delegating

Leaders who try to take on too many tasks by themselves will struggle to get anything done. These leaders often fear that delegating tasks is a sign of weakness, when it actually can be a sign of a strong leader. It shows the leader’s faith and trust in the capabilities of the team and gives boost to the team moral. It will bring involvement and engagement of a larger group which may make working easier and more efficient.

Therefore, you need to identify the skills of each of your employees, and assign duties to each employee based on his or her skillset . By delegating tasks to staff members, you can focus on other important tasks.

4. Positive attitude

A positive attitude can go a long way in an office. You should be able to laugh at yourself when something doesn't go quite as planned; this helps create a happy and healthy work environment, even during busy, stressful periods.

Simple acts like asking employees about their weekend or vacation plans will develop a positive atmosphere in the office, and raise morale among staff members.

If employees feel that they work in a positive environment, they will be more likely to want to be at work, and will therefore be more willing to put in the long hours when needed. Always try to address small small issues being faced by the workers as these are mostly overlooked by everyone. Once you start doing that you will feel a tremendous connect and faith. Try to be real.

5. Trustworthiness

Employees need to be able to feel comfortable coming to their manager or leader with questions and concerns. It is important for you to demonstrate your integrity— employees will only trust leaders they respect.

By being open and honest, you will encourage the same sort of honesty in your employees. Everyone wants the organization to do well. If a leader is able to show that he is genuinely working for the organization, it will help convey your trustworthiness as a leader. Always remember as leader you and your actions are visible to everyone and you may be able to know about only very limited reactions.

6. Creativity

As a leader, you have to make a number of decisions that do not have a clear answer, so you need to be able to think outside of the box.

Learning to try nontraditional solutions, or approaching problems in nontraditional ways, will help you to solve an otherwise unsolvable problem.

As leaders you are expected to take decisions. Do proper analysis and take quick actions. Remember no action is best, it is the timing and result that makes it best.

7. Feedback

Leaders should constantly look for opportunities to deliver useful information to team members about their performance. However, there is a fine line between offering employees advice and assistance, and micromanaging. By teaching employees how to improve their work and make their own decisions, you will feel more confident delegating tasks to your staff.

Employees will also respect a leader who provides feedback in a clear but empathetic way. For ensuring good results adequate communication, follow up and respect and faith in the ability of the team needs to be clearly communicated.

8. Responsibility

A leader is responsible for both the successes and failures of his or her team. Therefore, you need to be willing to accept blame when something does not go correctly.

If your employees see their leader pointing fingers and blaming others, they will lose respect for you. Accept mistakes and failures, and then devise clear solutions for improvement. As a leader you should not be afraid of failures ,always remember failures are the best teachers – they make you and your team stronger in all respects.

9. Commitment

It is important for leaders to follow through with what they agree to do. You should be willing to put in the extra hours to complete an assignment; employees will see this commitment and follow your example.

Similarly, when you promise your staff a reward, how so ever big or small, you should always follow through. A leader cannot expect employees to commit to their jobs and their tasks if he or she cannot do the same.

10. Flexibility

Mishaps and last-minute changes always occur at work. Leaders need to be flexible, accepting whatever changes come their way. Employees will appreciate your ability to accept changes in stride and creatively solve problems.

Similarly, leaders must be open to suggestions and feedback. If your staff is dissatisfied with an aspect of the office environment, listen to their concern and be open to making necessary changes. Employees will appreciate a leader's ability to accept appropriate feedback. Being flexible does not mean acting like a pendulum.  You must listen, discuss and act in the best interest of the task at hand.