Anyone can go to school to learn their profession. But being a leader is a learned skill that can be gained only in the field. Through an accumulation of experiences and a deep understanding of the knowledge gained about their organization and teammates, workplace leaders can make multiple decisions at a moment’s notice. These decisions come automatically, unconsciously, and fearlessly, often relying on the leader’s “gut instinct.” Over the course of their career, true leaders have mastered the art of pattern predicting, overcoming hardships, and finding the best solution under high-pressure situations.
While the top leaders’ instincts are much of what helped them rise to the top, many of their most valuable tools are learned skills. If you are looking to advance into a top HR leadership position, here are 10 things you must learn to do habitually and every day:
1. Connect with your people—Mediocre managers sees their teammates as numbers and titles while great HR leaders connect with them personally. Getting to know your coworkers as individuals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, separates the good from the best. No one person can build an organization alone— the key is to recognize this and act accordingly. Truly successful leaders surround themselves with a great team, people who lift one another up, as you all work toward the same common goal. And, once goals are met, share the rewards with everyone, as this recognition provides everyone with a powerful energy to move on to the next task.
2. Keep the eye on the prize—While it is natural instinct to focus on the daily grind, churning through the most urgent matters, truly great HR leaders keep their focus on long-term goals at all times. While it is obviously important to ensure that the short-term goals are met, those that come out on top recognize what is most important, channeling as many of their short-term goals as they can to work toward a successful big picture. Sometimes, this may mean abandoning the “process” or creating a new one that better fits the big picture.
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3. Gain respect through leading by example—It is human nature to want to be liked; but to a true pioneer, respect is a much more valuable tool. To be a truly great leader, you may not always be able to be likable— but if you are respected, you will always be able to convince those around you to do what they need to do to get the job done. One of the most powerful things top HR leaders can do to earn that respect is leading by example. They practice what they preach day in and day out and are mindful of their actions. After all, there is always someone sitting in the background observing. Which leads us to Number 4…
4. Never stop teaching—One of the most common complaints among employees is that their workplace managers have stopped being teachers. Instead, they are hiding behind their computers with their head down. What sets leaders apart from the pack is their thirst for knowledge. This self motivation to learn automatically puts them on the leader podium, sharing their knowledge with the rest of their colleagues. After all, your colleagues are an investment into the success of your entire organization, so you want them to succeed.
5. Reward the successes of others, rather than feeling threatened by it—Actively analyzing, listening, and rewarding for great work turns a simple manager into a great leader. Fear of losing their position to someone else’s success causes managers to take top performers for granted. Do that, and the entire village will crumble.
“A true leader, on the other hand, takes his or her team members’ accomplishments as a point of pride, and recognizes that the mark of a great leader isn’t creating followers—but instead developing other leaders.”
— Bill Murray Jr., Columnist for Inc.
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Elizabeth Dukes is the author of Wide Open Workspace and co-founder of iOffice, one of the fastest growing facility management software providers and consulting companies in the country.
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll cover the last 5 leadership skills, and we’ll showcase a concise, ready-to-use resource that will help you train on key employment topics in only 10 minutes.