Congrats on embarking on your leadership journey and looking for ways to improve! If you’ve landed on this page, I’m guessing that you’re a current or aspiring leader who wants to learn all the best strategies for how to be a good leader. First, I want to commend you for taking out the time and putting in the effort to be the best leader you can be. You obviously understand the importance of leadership and how it impacts your team.
In what ways does leadership affect your team? There are so many! The way you lead impacts your employee’s workplace experience, confidence, emotional and mental well-being, and their career growth. Not to sound extreme, but that is a lot of power. On top of how well your employees progress while working for you, being a leader also impacts your legacy and reputation.
Before people get to know you, they get to know “what others say or know about you.” Picture this, a management role opened up on a different team. You’re interested because of the pay boost, schedule, project, or team category. If your future hiring manager came to your current employee and asked how you were as a leader, what would they say? Similarly, if your future hiring manager asked your current manager about you, what would they say? This right here is exactly why being a good leader is important.
The good news is, you’ve come to the right place! As an ex-Director and Hiring Manager, I’m going to give you the Top 9 Tips on How to Be a Good Leader. Before we get started, I want to answer a common question that I get when coaching my executive clients.
How can I improve my leadership skills?
You’re on the right track! Actively searching for how to be a good leader is one of the best ways to learn because it will lead you toward a wealth of resources and training opportunities. From reading articles, to taking online courses, attending conferences, and hiring a leadership coach, you will be sure to walk away with the skills and knowledge to become a good leader for your team.
As a Leadership Coach, I often provide one-on-one coaching to new and aspiring leaders and I also provide workshops and training opportunities to companies that want to develop great leaders. If you’re interested in bringing me to your company for a conference or workshop, feel free to reach out to me.
In addition, I’m also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor and I’ve written and taught two courses on LinkedIn. You can check them out below.
My first course is for professionals who just secured a leadership position and want to make a positive and memorable impact in their first 90 days. You can check the course out below, Skills for Your First 90 Days as a New Manager.
Skills for the modern manager from Skills for Your First 90 Days as a New Manager by Chelsea Jay
My second course which is one of my favorites is for aspiring managers. If you want to learn the steps you need to take in order to get recognized as “management material” and land your first official management role, check out my class, Building the Skills and Reputation to Become a First-Time Manager. You’ll find a lot of new ideas in this course that will help you become one of the best leaders in your organization!
Positioning yourself as "management material" from Building the Reputation and Skills to Become a First-Time Manager by Chelsea Jay
How to be a Good Leader
1. Practice Regular Self-Reflection
Why it’s essential:
Taking on a leadership role is a big decision. Why? It’s hard work and everything you do impacts your employees, good and bad! To avoid traumatizing, offending, or hurting someone, self-reflection is essential. Self-reflection is like having a personal roadmap for your leadership journey. It allows you to pause and think about your actions, decisions, and behaviors critically. This isn’t about beating yourself up over mistakes but it’s about understanding what you do well and where you can improve. Self-reflection also helps you stay aligned with your core values and goals, making you a more authentic and effective leader.
Impact on employees:
When you practice self-reflection, your team can sense it and appreciate your efforts. They will see a leader who is thoughtful and considerate, which helps builds trust and respect. It shows that you care about your growth, which inspires them to invest in their own development.
Impact on culture:
A culture of self-reflection encourages everyone to learn from their mistakes and experiences. It promotes a growth mindset where feedback is valued, and mistakes are seen as opportunities for improvement, not failures. This leads to a more innovative and resilient team.
How to work on it:
A strong leader is intentional about self-reflection. Set aside time each day or week to reflect on your experiences. Use a journal to note down what went well, what didn’t, and what you learned. Ask yourself questions like, “What did I do today that aligned with my values?” and “How can I handle similar situations better in the future?” Over time, you’ll notice patterns and insights that will guide your leadership growth and help you become a better leader.
2. Be Open to and Ask for Feedback
Why it’s essential:
You’re not perfect and you will say or do the wrong thing from time to time and people need to be comfortable with telling you. Feedback is a powerful tool for growth, but it can also be tough to hear. Being open to feedback means you’re willing to see yourself from another’s perspective and understand how others experience you. Both are crucial for personal and professional development. Get in the habit of asking for feedback because it shows your team that you value their opinions and are committed to continuous improvement. It’s a two-way street that builds stronger relationships and better performance.
Impact on employees:
When you actively seek feedback, it creates a culture of trust and openness. Your team feels valued and understood, which boosts their morale and engagement. They’re more likely to be honest and constructive when they see you genuinely care about their input.
Impact on culture:
A feedback-friendly culture is one where open communication thrives. It encourages collaboration and innovation because everyone feels their voice matters. Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures, fostering a more positive and proactive work environment.
How to work on it:
Make asking for feedback a regular part of your routine. Use tools like 360-degree feedback surveys or simply ask your team for their thoughts after meetings or projects. Show appreciation for their input and take actionable steps based on the feedback. This demonstrates that you’re not just listening but also acting on what you hear.
3. Change Your Mindset
Why it’s essential:
As a leader, your employees look to you for how to respond and behave when faced with obstacles, changes, or unexpected events. Adopting a growth mindset helps shift your thinking from “this is going to be a disaster” to “how can we fix this or get in front of it?” It encourages resilience, learning, and a positive attitude towards challenges. Leaders with a growth mindset inspire their teams to stretch beyond their limits and see obstacles as opportunities for innovation and growth.
Impact on employees:
A leader with a growth mindset can turn setbacks into stepping stones for success. This energy influences the team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and perseverance. Your team becomes more motivated, innovative, and willing to take on new challenges because they see their leader doing the same.
Impact on culture:
A growth-oriented culture values learning and development. It encourages employees to take risks, experiment, and learn from their experiences. This leads to a dynamic and adaptive organization that can thrive in the face of change.
How to work on it:
Challenge your limiting beliefs and be open to new perspectives. Encourage yourself and your team to take on new challenges and view failures as learning opportunities. Celebrate successes and learnings, and provide resources and support for continuous learning and development.
4. Be Honest and Transparent
Why it’s essential:
No one wants to work for someone they can’t trust. Honesty and transparency are the foundation of trust and you’re an automatic role model for if trust is valued on your team. Being transparent means sharing the reasons behind your tough decisions, the successes, and the failures. It means being genuine and open, even when it’s difficult. This builds credibility and trust, which are essential for any effective leader. When your team knows you’re honest, they’re more likely to be honest with you.
Impact on employees:
Honesty and transparency create a safe environment where employees feel they can speak up and share their thoughts without fear of retaliation. This leads to stronger relationships and a more cohesive team. They know what to expect from you and trust that you have their best interests at heart.
Impact on culture:
A culture of honesty and transparency fosters open communication and integrity. It encourages employees to be truthful and ethical in their actions, leading to a more trustworthy and reliable organization.
How to work on it:
Communicate openly about your decisions, the reasons behind them, and any changes within the organization. Be truthful even when the news is not positive. Encourage a culture where honesty is valued and rewarded. Regularly share updates and be available to answer questions and address concerns.
5. Get Comfortable with Managing Conflict
Why it’s essential:
Being comfortable with handling conflict is a MUST for leaders because conflict WILL happen. Conflict is a natural part of any team dynamic. Managing conflict effectively means addressing issues head-on and turning disagreements into opportunities for growth. It’s about being fair, objective, and empathetic. When handled well, conflict can lead to better understanding, stronger relationships, and innovative solutions.
Impact on employees:
When conflicts are managed well, employees feel heard and respected. This can prevent issues from escalating and help maintain a positive work environment. It also demonstrates that you care about resolving issues in a fair and constructive manner.
Impact on culture:
A culture that handles conflict constructively encourages open dialogue and collaboration. It prevents resentment and buildup of unresolved issues that can undermine team cohesion and morale.
How to work on it:
Seek out conflict resolution trainings and workshops. Learn to stay calm and objective during conflicts, practice active listening, and work towards mutually beneficial solutions. Encourage open communication and create a safe space for discussing disagreements to land on a shared vision or common goal. I also highly recommend connecting with a leader who is great at handling conflict. Ask if they are willing to coach you and if you can sit in on a conflict resolution session.
6. Work on Your Emotional Intelligence
Why it’s essential:
Your employees want to connect with you and know that you care about them and EQ will help you do this. Emotional intelligence (EQ) involves understanding and managing your own emotions and those of others. It helps you navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and build stronger, more empathetic relationships.
Impact on employees:
Leaders with high EQ are better at building relationships, managing stress, and making decisions that consider the emotional impact on others. This can lead to a more supportive and empathetic workplace. Your team will feel understood and valued, which boosts their engagement and performance.
Impact on culture:
A culture that values emotional intelligence promotes empathy, respect, and collaboration. It creates a more positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves.
How to work on it:
Practice self-awareness by paying attention to your emotions, your triggers, and their triggers. Develop your empathy by actively listening to others and considering their perspectives. Work on managing your emotions, especially in stressful situations, and develop healthy ways to express them.
7. Get a Mentor
Why it’s essential:
EVERYONE needs a mentor. A mentor provides guidance, support, and valuable insights based on their own experiences. They can help you navigate challenges and grow as a leader. Mentorship accelerates your learning and helps you avoid common pitfalls by leveraging the wisdom of someone who has been where you are.
Impact on employees:
Having a mentor can help you develop skills and gain perspectives that you can pass on to your team. This can lead to more effective leadership and better team performance. Your team benefits from your enhanced capabilities and insights.
Impact on culture:
A culture that encourages mentorship promotes continuous learning and development. It helps build a supportive network within the organization and fosters a sense of community and shared growth.
How to work on it:
Identify potential mentors within or outside your organization. Reach out and build relationships with them. Be open to learning and applying their advice. Consider mentoring others to pass on your knowledge and experience.
8. Communicate Clearly
Why it’s essential:
95% of management is communication. Having good communication skills ensures that everyone understands expectations, goals, and the reasons behind decisions. It prevents misunderstandings and confusion, paving the way for smoother operations and stronger team cohesion. Clear communication is the glue that holds a team together and drives it forward.
Impact on employees:
When communication is clear, employees know what is expected of them and how to achieve their goals. This can increase productivity and job satisfaction. They feel more confident and capable because they have the information they need to succeed.
Impact on culture:
A culture of clear communication fosters transparency and accountability. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and working towards common goals. This leads to a more efficient and harmonious workplace.
How to work on it:
Work on your communication skills, including speaking, writing, and listening. Be concise and specific in your messages. Ensure that your communication channels are open and accessible to everyone. Encourage feedback and clarification to ensure mutual understanding.
9. Treat Your Team How You’d Want to Be Treated
Why it’s essential:
The principle of treating others as you’d like to be treated—often called the Golden Rule—promotes fairness, respect, and empathy. It’s a simple yet powerful guideline that can transform your leadership style and the dynamics of your team.
Impact on employees:
When leaders treat their team members with respect and fairness, it builds trust and loyalty. Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated. They feel valued and appreciated, which boosts their morale and productivity. Treating people right also heavily impacts employee retention.
Impact on culture:
A culture that values respect and fairness fosters positive relationships and collaboration. It creates an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. This leads to a more cohesive and high-performing team.
How to work on it:
Reflect on how you would like to be treated in various situations and apply those principles to your interactions with your team. Show appreciation and recognition for their efforts. Be fair and consistent in your actions and decisions.
Conclusion
Good leadership requires continuous work. Committing to your personal growth is one of the most important things you can do both personally and professionally. If I had to sum it all up, I’d say that at the center of being a good leader or the most effective leader, I’d say “be the boss you always needed.” Most of us have had bosses who don’t care, are disrespectful, and not self-aware. I can tell you’re different though. The fact that you found this article and made it all the way to the end lets me know that you will be a good leader!
Again, if you’re interested in working with me on your leadership development or personal development goals, I’m here for you! Reach out and ask me about my leadership program. When working together, you can count on getting honest feedback, you’ll learn new skills, gain essential leadership qualities, and walk away with a clear vision and career goals that will allow you to build a legacy that you are proud of. To get started, schedule a time to meet with me.
Cheers to your continued success and impact!
