Managers are sometimes classified as leaders just by the definition of their job, but is it true? In some cases it is, and we’ve all certainly encountered many cases where it isn’t. So how can managers develop leadership skills? The answer is to treat it the same way as the other endless tasks that consume their day…plan for it and execute.
You’re a manager. If you are entrusted with a team, it means you feel like a babysitter at times too. You are pulling your hair out over the fact that John is always late, then pounding your desk because Angela can’t seem to get the fact there are deadlines to meet, and it’s just 8:15 a.m.
How do you, or other managers, develop leadership skills for these people? Everyone has his or her own aggravating quirks. Your job is to learn how to work with them, not against them. Managing these crazy people is a mute point; you need to learn how to lead them.
Well, a sure way to find out your leadership style, or lack thereof, is to ask others who work with you. What?! It may sound risky but you’ve got nothing to lose, and some respect to gain. Let them know you are working on a goal to become a better leader for them and invite feedback on what you should work on.
They will probably be skeptical at first and ask if they can really tell you. Let them know, with a smile, that they can. Managers develop leadership skills everyday with seminars and books, but how many try a tactic like asking the very people they should be leading?
If for one day you changed your title from Manager to Leader, would you behave differently? When managers develop leadership skills and truly apply them, they learn to live it on a daily basis.How you handle tasks, your team and even your employer, becomes more positive and gets better results.
Can managers develop leadership skills and make a difference? Absolutely! Try it for yourself and watch the change in your attitude and those around you.
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