Are You An Effective Leader? Are You A Great Leader?

Reported by foodem.com, the online wholesale food marketplace-

Each time you open your internet browser it seems as if there is a new company on the rise. It may be a “tech” company, a new restaurant, an e-commerce company or a new social network looking to take over the world, but one commonality is leadership. Startups and even existing companies experience some of the same pitfalls and successes as their company grows, but the level and quality of leadership varies by far.

Simply put, some leaders suck, while others have the “right” combination to lead their pack.

There are several books and articles about being an , how to be an effective leader and leadership traits. Below are a few traits of great leaders according to Inc Magazine.

1. They surround themselves with smart, capable people – Effective leaders know they cannot single-handedly conquer the world, therefore they build a team of smart, talented individuals. They know how to delegate tasks to the appropriate people and focus their attention on other important tasks.
2. They demand accountability – Great leaders hold their team members accountable for their responsibilities. They know what questions to ask upfront, assess the pros and cons, and make decisions based on the individuals responsible for overseeing the task and the metrics in place to track successes and failures.
3. They understand the power of two words: “Thank You” – One thing that employees look for is a feeling of appreciation. A simple “thank you” goes a long way in the workplace, and a great leader realizes that.
4. They motivate and inspire others – Inspiring employees with a clear vision and a strategy to make that vision a reality, while instilling positivity is a key trait of an effective leader. They must be confident in the abilities of the team they’ve built and encourage them to go above and beyond the call of duty.
5. They are engaged in their surroundings – Schedules, meaningful discussions and aiming to stay on task is a way to get their undivided attention, as effective leaders appreciate and value their time, as well as that of others.
6. They seek positive energy – Great leaders believe anything is possible and tend to surround themselves with people of like thinking. Negativity is a complete turnoff.

How would you rate yourself as a “great” leader? Do you possess these traits? How would your employees rate your leadership?

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