From Good to Great: Essential Steps to Boost Your Leadership Skills

Who is a leader?

A good leader has what it takes to manage people and pull all the cards when giving orders. But to be a great leader takes more than the normal duties. It is about;

• Inspiring others
• Building trust
• Driving success

As Vince Lombardi says,” Leaders aren't born; they are made.” Focus on the latter aspect, “made,” which means through hard work. The truth of the matter is that some of us have leadership skills. But we aren't perfect people for the job if we don't fully understand what the actual job entails. Learning how to improve leadership skills is the first stepping to becoming great. All leaders become better with practice, training, and experience.

Let’s explore some essential steps to go from good to great and become the leader people admire and trust.

Understand What Leadership Means Today

All leaders, to a certain degree, do the same thing: Lead. But today, there is an upgrade to what it means to be great.

You have to inspire and motivate others through the duo of leadership and skills. What does greatness entail:

• Maintaining a healthy sense of self-awareness
• Putting the needs of others above your own
• Perspective seeking, taking, and collaborating
• Exhibiting a strong sense of humility and professional will

To be better at your job, you should be open to be willing to put in the work. Learning how to improve leadership skills gives you the upper hand when it comes to running a successful team. As a fierce leader, your title comes with obligations to:

• Build relationships
• Empower and grow your team(s)
• Navigate constant change

Once you get the hang of these changes, you can start developing leadership skills that match today’s needs. An excellent way to achieve this is by learning from professionals. Start by attending talks by leadership speakers, who will give you real-world advice. SpeakerAgency, for instance, links you with motivational speakers who share realistic insights to remake your leadership journey.

So, what steps should you take to boost your leadership skills?

Step 1: Know Yourself

The first step to building leadership skills is self-awareness. Ask yourself:

• Am I approachable and open to feedback?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• How do I handle challenges or setbacks?

Answering these questions gives you room to know yourself deeply. Great leaders connect better with the IT teams once they know who they are. Take a journal and note down every single decision you make and reflect on it. Have they been successful or not?

Step 2: Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills enable leaders to clearly define their visions. How do you become a stronger communicator?

• Practice active listening. This skill involves listening to what people say and what their words mean. By doing so, you create a stronger rapport with your team while building trust in the process.
• Be transparent. Transparency involves sharing information openly with your team. It can be about goals, challenges or even opportunities. With this level of trust, you can empower employees to actively solve problems, take healthy risks and be open.
• Read leadership books. If you are looking for inspiration, this is just the place to look. You can gather a few ideas from successful leaders.

Step 3: Learn to Delegate

One mistake many leaders make is trying to do everything themselves. Delegating tasks doesn’t just free up your time—it also shows trust in your team’s abilities.

When delegating tasks:

• Be clear about your expectations (about the task and what is important)
• Provide adequate resources and give a reasonable deadline
• Do not micromanage, but you can check in with the team from time to time.

Delegating tasks is the key to growth and building your team's confidence and skills.

Step 4: Invest in Continuous Learning

As John Wooden puts it, “The best leaders are lifelong learners.” I mean, you can never know too much or have enough skills. There's always room to advance your knowledge and become an even greater influence on your team.

Knowledge itself holds immense power. So, if you don't want to become a reluctant relic, be committed to gaining more knowledge. Learning is leading!

Step 5: Build Strong Relationships

Ever heard the term “a leader of the people.” Leadership is just that; it's all about the people. To be an exceptional leader, you should focus on building strong and positive relationships. How do you do it?

• Celebrate any achievement (whether big or small)
• Whenever there is a challenge, offer them support.
• Show genuine interest in your team’s lives.

Great leaders know the importance of guiding and building a team that shares your vision. A valued and motivated team is a productive team.

Step 6: Be Open to Feedback

Nobody is perfect, and that’s okay. What matters is your willingness to grow. Encourage your team to share feedback and take it seriously.

For example:

• Ask for suggestions on how you can improve.
• Use constructive criticism as an opportunity to grow.
• Thank people for being honest, even if it’s hard to hear.

Good leaders are able to take feedback as much as they give it. Once you are open with your team, you can take the remarks you receive and use them to better your skills. Feedback helps you see blind spots and refine your leadership style.

Step 7: Embrace Change

Adopting change nurtures a culture of innovation where employees feel empowered. Change is an essential part of the future of leadership. It promotes creativity and forward thinking. Leaders who are open to change motivate their teams to take up new challenges and constantly seek improvements.

The Journey to Great Leadership

Great leaders are smart and ambitious, and they use their knowledge to inspire others to follow their vision. If you want to be great, follow every step to the letter. Improving leadership skills takes time and effort, but in the long run, it is worth it!

But by focusing on the above tips, you can go from being a good leader to a truly great one! You don't have to have all the answers because the Speaker Agency can help. Contact us today, commit yourself to the cause, and everything (and everyone) else will follow.

Great leaders inspire, empower, and transform!