Do you wish you were a leader at work?
Despite possessing an unwavering desire to spearhead your company, not to mention first-class communication skills and a level of self-assurance that makes Donald Trump look like a schmuck, you’ve somehow been overlooked for the top slots.
However, by improving your leadership skills and demonstrating to your boss that you’re willing to go the extra mile, you can begin to climb the career ladder and introduce some blue-sky thinking of your own.
Here’s how …
Step #1: Boost Your Qualifications
Although you’re a diligent employee with a penchant for learning the intricacies of every role you undertake, making the leap from worker bee to queen bee often requires an academic route in order to reach the top.
As a result, enrolling for a leadership and management degree is a great way to give your workplace experience a shot in the arm and have your boss looking over their shoulder as you and your ambitions hurtle towards them.
Step #2: Use Your Initiative
If you’ve continually been passed over for promotion, it’s natural to become a bit lackadaisical in your approach to work. However, if you want to put yourself in a position to drive your organisation forward, it’s vital to shake off this malaise and ask for more responsibility.
While your boss may be reluctant to dump more work on your shoulders, your conscientiousness and enthusiasm to learn new skills should be all the motivation your superior needs to seriously consider you for a senior position in the future.
Step #3: Practice Effective Listening
We’ve all been there: you’re chatting to your boss, outlining your plans for the business and discussing your hopes and dreams for the next few years – but it looks like he stopped listening after 30 seconds and is now thinking about the round of golf he’s lined up for tomorrow.
It’s undeniably infuriating and does little to garner your respect. Consequently, make sure your own listening skills are up to scratch, as the world’s most effective leaders not only hear what their team members are saying, but, when required., they act on the information their employees are relaying.
Now it’s your turn …
Fancy sharing your top tips for becoming a more effective leader in the workplace? Please let us know your thoughts by dropping leaving a comment below – we’d be delighted to hear from you.
