LEADERSHIP Tips

A good leader set a good example, thinks and speaks clearly, keeps things simple and makes fast decisions.

          A good leader is honest and has integrity and has the ability to inspire others. They know how to involve staff in team efforts, pays attention to details and standards and is able to delegate responsibility to others.

          Good leaders inspire their workers to raise their performance to higher levels and help them improve their skills. Good leaders are always in demand.

 Five of the best leadership tips

*  People should always understand clearly what is expected of them

          Job specifications and instructions should be given verbally and in writing.  

          Staff must fully understand their tasks, responsibilities and what’s expected of them.

          They must have guidance in their work and know who to go to for advice.

          They should have only one supervisor otherwise people get confused with conflicting instructions.  

          A good leader should be a role model and lead by setting a good example.

* Good communication skills are the key to leadership

          Being able to question and listen are essential attributes.

          Today’s leaders must know how to write in precise language, how to speak on their feet and entertain an audience, and how to chair a successful meeting.

*  Staff must know how they are performing

          Encourage and support your workers by giving them credit for their successes and support them when they make mistakes.

          Praise good work and achievements. Good work should be praised publicly. Poor work should be constructively criticised,  privately.  

* Encourage people to improve themselves

          Set up useful training programmes and encourage study and outside work courses.

          Challenge people with tasks that can make a contribution and give them job satisfaction.

          Give people opportunities to show they can accept greater responsibilities.

          Delegate responsibilities down to where the actions take place in the organisation.

* Look after the welfare and improve working conditions

          Make sure people work in a safe and healthy environment. Happy staff make happy clients.     

-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“A successful leader knows the way, goes the right way and shows the way to others.”   

 Source: “Secrets for New Managers” Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as hard copy and as an e-book from Cengage Learning, Amazon.com. and the VitalSource Bookshelf.

               (Many of the articles in this book have been published in “Today’s Manager” the bimonthly magazine of the Singapore Institute of Management. The author ran 31 workshops for Asian managers at SIM.)