You can have a clear vision about the quickest and most efficient manner by which to get things done, but if you can’t communicate that vision to your team, then your vision is, well, just a vision. So, how do you turn words into action? How do you ensure others follow your lead? Of course, feedback from your team is the best barometer for determining how you’re doing as a manager, but you shouldn’t rely solely on them for improvement. Another way to ensure your words don’t fall on deaf ears is through self-evaluation. Recognizing the ways you can strengthen your leadership qualities is a skill, and one that you should always be working to obtain. Consider these three following points when evaluating your performance:

Confidence

Are you constantly defending your decisions or justifying your reasoning? If so, it’s killing your professional image. Apologizing when there is no reason to be sorry will make others question whether you’re apt to be in a leadership position. The first step to breaking this habit is recognizing that you’re guilty of using an apologetic tone. Once you do, be weary of going to the other side of the spectrum. Being the boss isn’t about being pushy, loud, or aggressive, or using scare tactics to motivate your team. It’s about being confident. Be sure of yourself. Walk into meetings with your head held high and make eye contact with your employees when in conversation.

Involvement

The best bosses are involved with their employees. They seek the ideas, opinions, and feedback of the members in their department, and are open to suggestions. When making decisions, be sure to include your employees in the conversation. This will make your employees feel important and make them less uneasy about approaching you in the future. Not to mention, employees will work harder knowing they played a role in the decision-making process.

Poise

In a perfect world, everyone always agrees and you always know exactly what to say. But the truth is, you won’t always agree with everyone or have all the answers off the top of your head. It’s important to remain calm in such situations. Don’t lose your temper or become frazzled. Take a deep breath and consider what you are going to say and the possibilities of how it will be received. Fumbling for your words or saying something you don’t necessarily mean can create confusion and chaos among your team.

Closing

It can be difficult to know how well you’re performing as a manager, even when you take your role very seriously. Stepping back every so often to reflect on the little things, such as the tone of your voice or your posture can make a huge difference in how your employees will see you. Standing with your shoulders back rather than your arms crossed, for example, makes you more approachable. What are the qualities that you think a leader should possess? At LinkNow Media, we are always interested in hearing about what other businesses are doing to improve efficiency and morale. Let us know in the comments section below!