10 Commandments of Great Leadership

August 21, 2018 Teams and Organizations, The Manager's Resource Handbook

What Does It Mean to Be a Leader?

Great leaders are special people. I was only a couple of years into my career when I began to notice the term leadership used around the office. Being in my early twenties, I did not think much of it back then and was just glad to have a job in a down economy. In fact, I used to chuckle somewhat when I heard the word because at the time, the concept of leadership just seemed like such a fluffy idea. “Why do people talk about leadership?” I thought. “Just do your job, work hard, and things will come together.”

But after shedding my naiveté and advancing through my career, I began to understand why the term leadership emerged in every place I worked. Now, years later, having managed teams, run projects and negotiated contracts myself, I have come to value what great leadership really brings to an organization. Because of this, we at MRH wanted to put the spotlight on the what it takes to be a good leader. As you go through our following 10 Commandments of Great Leadership, take a moment to think about those leaders you know and admire – either at work or in your community. Chances are, he or she will demonstrate many of the items on the list that follows. Let’s get started.

1. Demonstrate Patience… Almost to the Extreme

Even in crisis situations, strong leadership requires patience. This is not to say that one should brush aside a sense of urgency. Instead, it means that great leaders recognize the importance of getting the facts right and the need to avoid making hasty decisions. Even in a normal environment, great leaders are patient with new staffers who are learning, as well as even those troublesome employees who need coaching to improve. Patience is by no means the same as being soft. It simply means that great leaders recognize that some things just take time – and these individuals are willing to give it.

2. Motivate People to Be At Their Best

As part of an MRH study, when asked what made their favorite manager standout, 31% of respondents said it was because the manager motivated people to do their best work. Chances are, you’ve had a difficult boss or supervisor who was either rude to employees or simply pushed excessively in order to get results. Sure, there may have been results, but there is something to be said about getting the job done, and getting the job done in a positive, healthy way. Great leadership is about inspiring and motivating employees to be at their best. To achieve this requires you know your team’s individual strengths, motivations, and limitations. While certainly easier said than done, it is still true: when people are motivated to be at their best and everyone is performing at an optimal level, the possibilities are endless.

3. Accept Mistakes as Part of Progress

Leading a business or a team often contains an element of coaching one’s staff, as well as providing employees with diverse and challenging work assignments. The situation is one we all face – we have a talented new employee who just hired into our team. Inevitably, he or she will make a mistake; it’s only natural. How we as managers and leaders respond to those mistakes is an indicator of our leadership strength. Mistakes will always happen and great leaders know to embrace these mistakes as teaching moments.

4. Listen Hard

Listening is an incredibly important skill, for managers and business leaders, but also one that is overlooked in terms of its importance. Nonetheless, being a good listener – focusing on what people are saying and making note of it – is instrumental in becoming a great leader. Often times, critical listening is not only noting what someone says, but also what they do not say. The details that are left out, deliberately or otherwise, may be of significant importance. If you want to be a better leader, make it a point to be become a better listener.

5. Don’t Accept Mediocrity

Not everyone on your team is a superstar, and we all have our bad days. Still, being a good leader means you always expect people to do their best and you set unwavering expectations accordingly. It also means you expect the same of yourself. It is better to aim high and fall short trying than it is to aim low and achieve mediocrity.

6. Trust, but Verify

It is well understood that strong relationships are based on mutual trust and respect. The same sort of trust and respect holds true for good leaders and their organizations. But leadership in business is not just about keeping people happy, it is also about generating results and meeting commitments. Getting there sometimes requires leaders to check-in on the details at various points along the way and to dig in to details when needed.

7. Acknowledge and Reward Performance

Amid all the hustle and bustle in the day, many workers would agree that more acknowledgement of their efforts could be given managers and leaders. In fact, according to an MRH poll, 61% of people say that recognition for performance is insufficient in their place of work. Thus, particularly when an employee goes over and above the call of duty – working late on a Friday to meet a deadline, for instance – simply acknowledging or and expressing gratitude for the employee’s effort goes a long way. While one could argue that is part of the person’s job, great leaders know that saying ‘thank you’ costs nothing and can have a very positive impact on morale.

“If you want to be a better leader, make it a point to be become a better listener.”

8. Lead by Example…. Really

We often hear people talk about leading by example, but few truly embody its meaning. In reality, managers and business leaders are under close observation – by their employees, peers and other key stakeholders. It’s a natural thing for people to do – as children we watch our parents; as adults we watch leaders and people of importance. And, no matter what behavior he or she exhibits, it sets a standard for what is acceptable to others. When in a position of leadership, demonstrating a condescending and unprofessional style signals others that such behavior is acceptable (even though is should not be). Critical of others? Expect them to also be critical of one another. Do you take a tolerant and constructive approach at work? They will too. Thus, the phrase should not be ‘lead by example,’ but rather set the example you want others to follow through your actions. Employee and staff behavior is often a reflection of your own.

9. Be Honest and Transparent

Great leaders are often great communicators. Moreover, in good times and in bad, great leadership is rooted and honesty and transparency. Sometimes the truth is hard to accept and there are times we’d simply rather not discuss problems and issues. But it is important to note that to be a great leader means you need to address those difficult issues during not-so-good times.

10. Remember the Human Element

Just like you are a real person, with a real life and real problems, so too are your employees real people with real lives, and real problems. Superb leaders always know that while they set high expectations for their teams and their businesses, that life will get in the way from time to time. While an employee’s personal life situation may cause disruption in work performance, great leadership goes hand in hand with compassion.

Ultimately…Be the Leader You Admire

In short, when it comes to being a leader yourself, think about those individuals you know who are natural motivators and leaders, and look to them as role models. Or think about the type of leader you would want to work for and embody those traits and behaviors in your own actions. Regardless of which approach you take, remember that great leaders achieve fantastic results through their teams and organizations, and you can, too.