Compare and contrast between leadership traits and behaviors
Adopting positive leadership behavior can motivate your team to be more effective
and increase its ability to reach goals. These behaviors also help you to retain top
talent within your department, as team members may value the opportunity to work
alongside you. Learning how to behave like a leader can have a direct effect on your
ability to generate revenue for your employer and achieve organizational
success. In this article, we discuss why leadership behaviors are so essential within
an organization and share some simple steps you can take to develop your own
effective leadership behavior.
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What is leadership behavior?
Leadership behavior refers to the traits and actions that make an individual
effective as a leader. This behavior is the process by which a person can guide,
direct and influence the work of others to meet specific goals. Leaders can learn
these actions and strategies to increase the effectiveness of those around them.
Individuals use these behaviors to motivate people into action when they have a
vision for an organization, a product or a group of people.Related: How To Be a
Good Boss: 10 Ways To Be a Great Leader
Why are effective leadership behaviors important?
Good leadership behaviors are crucial to becoming someone who inspires and leads
people to maximize efficiency and achieve the goals of the organization. Leadership
behaviors are essential to:
Increase the productivity of a team: Consistent leadership can motivate
a team to greater performance.
Retain people: Employees are less likely to leave if they receive great
leadership and mentorship in their current roles.
Nurture future leaders: Leadership behaviors are integral to developing
and nurturing future leaders within an organization.
Related: 10 Common Leadership Styles (Plus How To Find Your Own)
Show Transcript
Video: Top Leadership Styles - Definitions & Examples
Jenn, an Indeed Career Coach, explains the top leadership styles in management
and how to identify the one that's right for you and your team.
Get interview-ready with tips from Indeed
Prepare for interviews with practice questions and tips
How to demonstrate effective leadership behaviors:
Here's a list of ways you can behave like a leader:
1. Be honest
Honesty helps to create a work environment that feels fair and open. Employees
may be more likely to trust your decisions and trust you with their problems if they
feel that you are honest with them. Following through on your words and
commitments is also an essential component of honest
leadership.Related: Manager Areas for Improvement (With Tips)
2. Be confident in your decisions
Making decisions swiftly and confidently is one of your primary duties as a leader.
By practicing this behavior, your team can develop trust in your decision-making
abilities. This can also allow you to increase your efficiency when time is an
essential resource.Related: Learn About Organizational Leadership and Its
Components
3. Be approachable
Work to keep lines of communication open so that your team feels like they can talk
to you. Display active listening skills to encourage communication, such as asking
open-ended questions and being attentive while the employee speaks. Keep your
employees informed by communicating with them regularly about decisions and
what is happening within the team and organization.Related: 9 Ways To Help and
Support Colleagues at Work
4. Provide objective feedback
Let your team know what you expect of them and how they can improve. You can do
this positively with a focus on educating employees rather than punishing them. You
can conduct corrections privately so as not to embarrass team members. Create a
positive, trusting relationship by identifying what the employee is doing correctly
and suggesting ways they could do better.Related: 8 Ways to Teach Leadership
Skills to Students and Employees
5. Lead by example
Hold yourself to the same standards as employees. If your team is required to stay
late, stay late with them. If your team wants to reach a particular goal, you may
consider making it a goal that you can also attain. While delegating is an essential
skill that leaders often possess, your team may appreciate it when you can work
alongside them toward a common objective.Related: How To Communicate
Expectations To Employees
6. Create a reward program for staff members
Publicly recognize the achievements and milestones of each team member. When
employees feel as though their accomplishments receive appreciation, they are
more likely to work towards new goals and achievements. Having a reward program
in place helps motivate employees to reach individual and team objectives. Even a
simple thank you to staff members for their efforts is a way to show appreciation
and encourage employees to continue to do their best.Related: What Is
Innovative Leadership?
7. Change how you approach your work
Becoming an effective leader is a skill that you can practice daily. One way to start
the process of becoming a leader and being recognized as someone with strong
leadership behavior is to change the way you think. People who wish to become
leaders can redefine their job duties. Consider what you could do in addition to your
typical tasks to help your team, department or organization. The goal is to be
proactive with your work and find a way to contribute meaningfully.
