Becoming a leader in your industry can be cause for celebration and also lead to contemplation. Yes, it’s a great achievement to become the head of your company or department, but now all eyes, from every level of the company will be looking to you for direction, advice and the reassurance that you are up for the challenge.
Proving that you are well equipped to lead the company with your skills and the effort you put forth into helping the company grow will be your number one task.
Aman Maharaj, an entrepreneurial leader in Toronto, Ontario, has provided a few helpful tips to help turn you into a promising authority figure, lending insight into some of his own experiences at the helm.
Conduct Yourself Like a Leader
From day one, you must set the tone for your employees. Be respectful and speak to everyone with confidence giving them the assurance that you are where you belong. During the first few weeks in your new leadership role, people will form their opinions on your qualifications and determine whether or not you are indeed trustworthy. To get your staff behind you, establish the workplace’s core values and culture from the outset, as it will be crucial in producing positive change and progress.
“I lead by example so that people know that if I say I’m going to deliver something, I will be accountable for it and I will deliver it,” says Aman Maharaj.
Confidence and Communication
Your confidence can inspire co-workers and, on the reverse end of the spectrum, a lack of self-assurance will diminish their spirits. As the leader, you are to give off an aura of poise that staff members can notice, feed off of and utilize to their benefit. Even if the company has recently encountered a setback, keep your composure and put on a strong stance for the employees.
Clear communication should also be at the forefront of your leadership traits. Discuss future plans with them, involve them in the decision-making process, make them aware of any shortcomings and show that you greatly value their input in all vital matters.
“I have been successful as a business leader because of my confidence and strong communication skills at every level. Being able to communicate and relate to the people that I am dealing with has really allowed me to grow. I can have conversations at any level,” says Aman Maharaj.
Trust Your Employees
Although people must prove themselves to be worthy of your trust, you, the soon-to-be successful boss, should consistently have faith in the judgment and input from your employees. If you surround yourself with capable, skilled individuals, be open to the idea of allowing them to present their own solutions. Share your vision and the ultimate goal, then trust the team to complete assigned duties. Any indecisiveness from you will only have a trickle-down effect on your employees and their mentality.
If you’re going to put your trust in someone, make sure they have earned your trust, says Aman Maharaj.
Be Passionate and Fully Invested
Believe in yourself and the vision that motivated you towards this venture in the first place. An abundance of passion and commitment from the leader is bound to encourage employees, as they spend large chunks of their lives at work, close to the boss. Positive energy and intense dedication will ensure that the company’s morale is high, which inevitably produces better overall results.
Aman Maharaj says that you must have passion for what you are doing. You have to want it. You have to be committed to the company and its employees. If you don’t want it, it’s very easy for other people to see that.
Don’t Be a Know-It-All
A prospering leader understands that he or she can always learn, be it from co-workers or the competition. Assuming that you know all relevant information, and neglect intellectual contributions from employees, is an odious, not to mention damaging, characteristic to possess. Put the ego aside, because you won’t get too far as a leader with such an approach.
Aman Maharaj says that you can learn from others. You’re never going to be the smartest person in the world. Even if it’s a person in a more junior position in a company, you can still learn something from them.
Aman Maharaj on Being Bold
Lastly, revered leaders are known for being bold in the goals that they put in place, despite the possibility of requiring years to achieve those ambitions. Make your goals specific, verify that everyone understands them and see to it that all parties are dedicated to working together for the sake of reaching the objective, says Aman Maharaj. Before one assumes a leadership position, typically, they have already ingrained such a habit in their efforts.
By keeping these qualities and traits in mind, you can practice them and establish yourself as a strong leader.
