How to Create Good Leaders

Leadership skills are vital for the growth and long-term success of any business. But what defines a brilliant leader? Creating good leaders requires an in-depth understanding of in-demand leadership qualities. This article examines the most sought-after leadership skills and provides top tips for becoming a great leader. 

What defines a brilliant leader? 

Creating good leaders in the workplace takes more than getting managers to speak up. It’s not about being the loudest or even the most confident; it’s about continually harnessing an array of invaluable leadership skills, from listening to delegating to compromising to advancing best practices. 

Shockingly, only 19% of organisations believe in their effectiveness at developing leaders. While it is true that not anyone can be a leader, organisations can foster leadership skills within all employees if they know what’s required. Let’s look at the most in-demand leadership skills and why they are necessary for creating good leaders. 

In-Demand Leadership Skills 

Communication 

Indissolubly linked to creating good leaders is clear communication. Whether through presenting at conferences, on Zoom, or providing client feedback, leaders should communicate effectively. Good leaders are articulate, persuasive, and can convince the team (and clients) to embrace the company’s vision. 

Good communication is also a vital part of negotiation and delegation. Pareto’s Negotiation Skills Training Course empowers delegates to take ownership of negotiation situations whilst ensuring the results bring lasting value to the company. 

Growth Mindset

Managers become leaders when they exhibit a genuine desire to achieve company goals and overcome challenges. Leaders also demonstrate ambition when they:

1. Seek to expand their knowledge.

2. Drive results by motivating employees to push themselves.

3. Consistently pursue new ways to improve business practices. 

Employees who find a purpose at work are more than three times as likely to stay with their organisations than those who don't. Therefore, the most successful organisations prioritise employee engagement in their growth strategy. Ultimately, leaders should always provide employees with clear expectations and offer appropriate guidance to support their best work. 

Optimism

Optimism is a core element of creating good leaders. Leaders own their defeats as much as their victories, approaching mistakes or hiccups as opportunities to improve. Leaders can inspire and motivate employees and clients to remain positive when things go wrong; they're quick to organise additional training and turn sour situations into business prospects. 

Flexibility

Brilliant leaders are highly innovative and flexible in their processes, always remaining open to new strategies rather than solely adhering to the done methods. Therefore, assessing how flexible managers are concerning decision-making is a great way to see if more leadership training is required.

Accountability

Leaders should be honest and hold themselves accountable for their mistakes, empowering employees to remain sincere in difficult times and nurturing a supportive working culture. 

Leaders also never promise what they can't deliver. They do not sacrifice their integrity to make a sale; instead, they secure future business due to their directness, consistency, and authenticity. 

Top Tips for Becoming a Great Leader

Be an Opportunist 

Being an opportunist involves leading with conviction and affirmation through change and innovation and seeking out new business models and leadership styles. 

This means that central to creating good leaders is spotting areas in need of improvement and actively developing new opportunities for their team to drive success from the bottom line. 

With work and life more interconnected than ever, modern workforces crave purpose and opportunities to improve their career as much as their sense of self and personal life. If leaders mismanage this craving, they neglect the opportunity to engage and uplift their workforce, leaving employees uninspired and discouraged.

Be Appreciative 

Following on from the above, among the most valued leadership skills is the ability to celebrate employees. Of course, leaders should always have opportunities to progress on their radar, but they should also have an antenna for employee wins. In this sense, good leaders focus on their employees' strengths by providing positive feedback in 1:1s, vocalising client wins in meetings, and sending regular messages of encouragement. 

Regular appreciation boosts employee engagement in the long-term, too. Celebrating small wins stimulates the release of feel-good hormones in the brain, fortifying the learning experience and strengthening our sense of connection to our work and colleagues. 

Cultivate Positive Relationships 

In the same vein, creating good leaders involves cultivating positive relationships within your team and beyond. The best leaders balance the right amount of optimism with realism without underestimating challenges. Avoiding colouring over reality with positivity (remember, honesty is a priceless leadership quality), leaders should nevertheless motivate staff by painting an exciting picture of the future, consistently reminding employees why their work matters.

Direct and Delegate

Strategic and considered delegation is an art form that only the most effective team leaders can master. How leaders allocate duties can say a lot about their work ethic. For instance, while leaders should aspire to greater responsibility, sharing the load is necessary to maximise resources and assist colleagues in expanding their professional development. 

Indeed, creating good leaders and the growth of businesses often rely on effective delegation as it directly impacts productivity and helps identify strengths and weaknesses within the team. Organisation and task delegation also involve setting clear guidelines and expectations. That way, everyone is on the same page and working towards a shared goal.

Keep Learning 

There is always room for improvement, no matter how high up the ladder you are. With this in mind, leaders must focus on self-improvement and stay up-to-date with industry innovations that inspire employees to work on their own self-development too. Creating good leaders requires regular top-up training. There are tons of tools to help with this, including bespoke online courses curated to enhance leadership skills and behaviours. 

Want to learn more about what defines a brilliant leader and how to become one? At Pareto, we offer specialised leadership training programmes to transform your teams and increase your value as a business. Find out more about leadership team assessment here.