Leaders are not always born; it’s a skill that can be learnt. Demonstrate to your existing or potential employer that you have the ability, and you could end up leading your team or even an entire department. Brian Ward, a management consultant with over 25 years of experience, has some great advice on Leadership Values:

1. Authenticity is key: If you are not true to yourself, then how can people trust in you as a leader? Be sure to be yourself – there’s no need to wear a mask at work and then take it off when you leave for home or to socialise. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses and have the ability to ask for help if needed.
2. Maintain your integrity: By acting with integrity you will gain the respect, trust and confidence of the people you work for and with. It’s important to follow ethical codes of conduct to enable you to deliver the best possible results for the benefit of your employer’s customers or clients. Your team will also recognise and welcome the example that you set, which in itself can be very motivating.
3. Think about how focused you are: You may need to spend more time communicating with others to inspire, remind or update them about the company’s mission, vision, values, targets and strategic goals. Think about how much focus you create within the company and whether any improvements could be made.
4. Listen to others: Actively listen to the views of those you work with and to the organisation’s customers. Leading is not just about giving orders. People like to be valued and, if you ignore their comments without sufficient consideration, they could end up feeling undervalued and demotivated. Also allow for constructive criticism from your colleagues and use it to your advantage by improving your core skills.
5. Be empathetic: When you talk to others within your company try to understand why they have arrived at a particular point of view. Sometimes emotions might be behind their attitudes or thinking. Empathy is also about creating opportunities to engage in frank dialogue with your colleagues and others. Empathy can help you to develop a feeling of inclusiveness within your team, your company and other stakeholders.
6. Demonstrate a passion for what you do: If you can demonstrate a passion and get stuck into any kind of issue, job or situation, then others will be only too pleased to follow you as you become their role model.
7. Be courageous: Stand firm when you are right, even if it means making tough decisions, and accept when you are wrong. Think about how you can achieve your personal and organisational goals in a focused manner.
8. Timing is crucial: Make your decisions in a considered and timely manner. This includes knowing when to take the initiative at the right time; following up regularly and demanding a well co-ordinated execution of strategy.
9. Adopt a positive attitude: Be positive to create the kind of working environment that will inspire those you work for and with. This will improve your own, and your team’s, productivity. With a positive attitude you will find that obstacles will become mere stepping stones and your example will enable your staff to develop an appropriate attitude.

By leading the way, you will open up opportunities for everyone, including yourself and your organisation.

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