Contemporary problems facing leaders
Unlike other roles, leaders are faced with the daunting task of managing their own time on top of managing other people. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, this can be more challenging than ever before.
Leaders have to contend with contemporary problems ranging from the globalization of the economy to the increased use of technology.
With economic globalization, businesses are operating in a bigger marketplace. This means increased competition and the need for organizations to adapt to local and international market changes.
To learn about becoming a successful international leader, you can take our International Leadership Skills for the Workplace course at Coventry University.
The pandemic forced many organizations to rethink the way they operate, with many companies moving to hybrid working models. Many employees are split between working from home and in the office, so keeping remote teams connected and engaged can be a challenge. Check out our collaborative working in a remote team course to learn how best to work remotely.
Political instability can also create challenges for businesses as instability can lead to trade agreement uncertainty. This makes it difficult for organizations to plan for the future and may create challenges around funding and investment. By understanding these challenges, leaders can position their organizations to succeed.
A word on leadership and imposter syndrome
Sometimes people get a job that requires them to lead a small group but feel like they may not have the right leadership skills. Just like not having the right knowledge to do a job well, this is all tied to imposter syndrome.
If you aren’t familiar, imposter syndrome is when someone doesn’t feel like they belong in their job role because they feel they don’t have the right level of experience or skills. It is ultimately the personal perception of being out of your depth and it happens to lots of us at some point in our career.
For more information on imposter syndrome and how to manage those negative feelings, consider this imposter syndrome course from the University of Southern Queensland.
Six ways to improve your leadership skills
Here are a few suggestions to get you on the path to becoming a better leader:
1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses
This isn’t always easy – we often have blind spots for our strengths and weaknesses. However, it’s worth understanding these so you can grow your potential.
To get started, make a list of both your strengths and your weaknesses, but be as specific as possible. It might be a good idea to ask for feedback from others to paint a more accurate picture, as it’s not easy to be objective when evaluating yourself.
Consider keeping a journal to track your successes and failures over time. By taking stock regularly, you’ll develop a better understanding of yourself and learn how to make the most of your talents.
2. Take management and leadership courses
One of the best ways to improve your leadership skills is to take online courses that can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective leader. Taking courses will also help you network with other professionals.
Whether you take courses online or in person, choose a program that is reputable and accredited. There are many management and leadership courses available, and with Futurelearn, you can be sure you’re getting quality education from reputable educators.
Plus, with our courses, you have the opportunity to earn certificates that can help you to advance your career in a flexible way – you can study at your own pace and complete the courses on your own schedule.
Depending on your goals, you may want to look for courses that have an international focus. The Introduction to International Business Management course by the University of Kent is an excellent way to get started.
3. Brush up on your hard skills
It’s no secret that technical skills are becoming increasingly important. It’s essential, therefore, that leaders have a strong grasp of the skills relevant to their industry.
Financial analysis, project management and contract management are all examples of important hard skills, though this can depend dramatically depending on the field you work in. If you’re not sure which hard skills are relevant to your industry, ask your boss or a mentor for guidance.
4. Find a mentor
A mentor can provide you with guidance, support and advice when you need it most. They can also help you develop a better understanding of yourself and your goals.
When choosing a mentor, look for someone who is experienced and respected as a leader, as you’ll learn the most from their examples. Make sure to choose a mentor who is honest and will give you constructive feedback.
Your mentor could be a professor who inspires you, a boss who is always challenging you to do better, or even a local business owner you’re friendly with.
It’s also important to choose someone who you feel comfortable with since you’ll spend a lot of time together to build a trusting relationship. Once you’ve found a mentor, meet with them regularly, and be prepared to listen and learn.
5. Determine your goals
As a leader, it’s important to have a clear vision for your team. Without this, it can be difficult to make decisions and provide direction.
To determine your goals, start by thinking about what you want to achieve in both the short-term and long-term. Then, you can start to develop a detailed plan by setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
It’s also important to keep your team in mind when setting goals. Your goals should align with the skills and abilities of your team, and the overall strategy of your organization.
Once you’ve decided on your goals or strategy, it’s important to communicate that to your team. By sharing your vision, you can inspire and motivate them to work towards a common goal. Clear communication makes sure everyone is on the same page, working towards the same objectives.
6. Admit when you fail and move on
Everyone makes mistakes. As a leader, it’s important to admit when you’ve failed and learn from it. This shows your team that you’re human and willing to learn from your mistakes. If you’re willing to accept responsibility, it builds trust and credibility with your team.
Use your failures as opportunities to improve. By reflecting on your mistakes, you’ll identify areas for improvement and adapt your strategy. Sharing your learnings with your team creates a culture of learning and growth.
To learn more about how to improve as a leader and turn your mistakes into positive learnings for yourself and your team, take the People Management Skills course by CIPD.
How do you demonstrate leadership skills?
If you’re jostling for a place on the management table at work, those who decide who gets the next promotion will be watching your leadership skills to see if you have what it takes.
But how can you show you have leadership skills without being in a leadership position? After all, you don’t want to be barking orders at colleagues who work in the same job as you.
Well, the truth is, you don’t have to. Leaders may have to give instructions to team members, but that is only a small part of their job. You can focus on displaying the other key leadership skills that will help others, such as:
- Offering to help a colleague who is having problems
- Being supportive and encouraging
- Praising fellow workers for good work
- Giving credit to others
- Showing empathy for people with difficult tasks
- Communicating effectively
- Working to improve team morale in difficult times
You don’t have to start swanning around the office solving disputes and taking on a managerial type persona. Ultimately, many of these items just mean that you’re being a helpful and proactive colleague.
Then, when that interview does come around, you will have plenty of examples of your leadership skills to use. Some of which the people interviewing you will have seen you do first-hand.
Final thoughts
Leadership is a complex topic. From setting goals to admitting failure, there are many ways to improve your leadership skills. It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. It’s a self-development process that takes introspection.
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