Lead The Way

This article appeared in our newsletter 'News & Views on 8th February 2009

Where are the good leaders in your company?

Leaders can be managers, supervisors or team members. Some are born leaders while others learn from specific training or personal experience. They tend to be engaging, encouraging, and supportive with a healthy dose of empathy and understanding.

In amongst all this they will challenge you, build your confidence and coach you along the way.

Being challenged to improve your performance or productivity to reach a goal beyond your comfort zone can be a little scary however, if the right level of knowledge, encouragement and support is provided it can prove to be very rewarding on a personal level. In some industries it may also be highly rewarding financially.

Having the right challenge and support and then reaching your goals automatically builds your self confidence which in turn lifts your self esteem. A lift in your confidence is one of the most positive outcomes of accepting and meeting a challenge. The personal satisfaction of making it happen can be addictive and may spur you on to new challenges and goals.

The encouragement and support that is required from a good leader is also known as coaching. They should work with you to define a new goal, keep you updated on your progress, listen to your concerns, provide positive feedback and most of all help you to believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.

Leadership is normally associated with appropriate direction from the company owners or managers. They tend to provide the structure and vision for the business so people look at them for direction however leadership can just as easily come from team members.

Take a leading role yourself and offer words of encouragement and support to a colleague.