Did you know that companies whose leadership was rated high in ethics, employee motivation, and communication achieve 20% higher profits?
That’s what the Center for Creative Leadership found. And who doesn't want to increase profits and have strong leadership?
Having these characteristics in your management is indicative of strong leaders. This comes with experience and understanding, but also by first learning how to be a good follower.
Here are 4 steps you can take to become a good follower and forge your path to become an outstanding leader:
Step 1: Stay involved
Good followers stay involved in the initiatives around them. They’re the ones who know the ins and outs of organizing a project or task and they know the most efficient and effective way to execute their plan.
In the same way, an outstanding leader will know, or at least try, to be on top of all the projects going on throughout the company. In doing this, a leader opens more in depth communication with employees and is seen as another member of the team instead of just the “person over you.”
Get more involved with employees by becoming interested and engaged in their work. As a leader, you’ll feel more inspired by staying involved with the activities of your company.
Step 2: Play nice
Playing nice is a golden rule of life and it’s no exception in the workplace.
In the same vein, treating others as you would like to be treated is an essential step in becoming an outstanding leader.
Good employees play nice with their fellow colleagues and try to keep things running smoothly. Any good leader should do the same.
Simply thanking your employees from time to time can make the difference between a good leader and an outstanding leader. Who would have thought that using words like “please” and “thank you” (that you learn as a child) would help you become a better leader?
Step 3: Gain more knowledge
Good employees keep pushing forward. They strive to become better by reading and researching new knowledge, ideas or skills and then implement this newfound information through testing and practice into their everyday work.
Outstanding leaders must do the same. Ongoing development and training, keeping abreast of the industry’s trends, and being open to new ideas are just some of the ways to take your leadership skills from good to great.
Step 4: Work hard
Many times employees are required by their managers to work harder by staying later, completing a project faster, or helping in another area of the company. By setting high standards, everyone is pushed to go above and beyond.
However, as a leader be sure to also continuously contribute. You need to be ready to put in just as much, if not more work than your team. It’s imperative to lead by example.
Following these 4 steps will enable you to embody the role of a follower while becoming an inspiring and effective leader. As a result, you will be able to more easily identify with your employees and relate to their work. By being a part of team, everyone will be more readily set up for success.
