leadership traits Archives

Do you sometimes feel like you’re the only one doing any work on your group projects? Or that you always have to be the one to take charge?

Let’s discuss some of the best ways to become a better collaborator. We will talk about how to share tasks equitably, how to communicate effectively with your team members, and how to stay organized. We will also offer some advice on how to deal with conflicts and navigate tricky situations.

By following these tips, you will find that teamwork becomes much easier—and more fun.

Developing good listening skills

When you’re trying to become a better collaborator, the first step is to develop good listening skills.

This means being aware of your surroundings and the people you’re working with. It also means paying attention to what’s being said, and not just waiting for your turn to talk.

Encouraging others to offer solutions before giving your own is another way of showing that you’re listening. It also shows that you’re open to other people’s ideas and that you’re not just trying to impose your views on the group.

Finally, always restate key points that you’ve heard so that you can check for accuracy. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that any misunderstandings are cleared up right away.

Respecting others’ time and efforts

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Respecting everyone’s time and efforts mean being upfront about your expectations and encouraging a respectful discussion. It also means recognizing the results of everyone’s hard work and celebrating positive outcomes.

By doing this, you’re setting the tone for a productive and positive working environment. And when everyone is focused on working together to find solutions, you’re more likely to achieve great things.

Building on your communication skills

Be aware of your communication style and understand that there is more than one way to communicate effectively. Second, adjust your communication style to fit the situation. And third, hone active listening skills.

Here are some specific things you can do to work on your communication skills:

Make sure you understand the task at hand and the goal you’re trying to achieve
Repeat back what you’ve heard to ensure that you understand
Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements
Ask questions if you’re unclear about something
Seek first to understand, then to be understood

Learning to lead – without being bossy

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Being assertive is a crucial skill to have, especially if you want to be a leader.

But there’s a difference between being assertive and being bossy—and it’s a line you need to be careful not to cross.

When you’re assertive, you’re confident in yourself and your ability to contribute to the team, but you’re also respectful of other people’s opinions and willing to compromise when necessary.

On the other hand, being bossy means that you’re trying to control the team and get your way, without any regard for what others might want or think. So how can you make sure you’re being assertive and not bossy?

Well, be transparent and truthful with your team, but also tactful. You need to be able to explain your ideas and listen to feedback, without getting defensive or taking things personally. It’s also good to understand what leadership is, and the different team dynamics at play. If you can learn how to lead without being bossy, you will be much more influential—and respected—as a collaborator.

Becoming aware of behavioral differences

You might not even realize it, but the way you act can be a big contributing factor to whether or not people want to collaborate with you.

Maybe you’re the type of person who’s always trying to take control and be the commander, without considering other people’s input. Or maybe you’re so quiet and shy that people don’t even know you have good ideas.

Whatever the case may be, be aware of behavioral differences and how they can impact collaboration. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips:

Talk to others about their experiences collaborating with you. What do they say your strengths and weaknesses are?
Pay attention to the way you act in group settings. Do you tend to take charge, or do you sit back and let others take the lead?
Be open to feedback and willing to make changes. If you want to be a better collaborator, you need to be open to modifications.

The good news is that being more of a team player is something that can be learned. And it’s not about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about developing the skills you need to be successful in collaborative environments. It starts with understanding what team players do differently. And then it involves adopting those same behaviors yourself. And finally, it requires practicing those behaviors until they become second nature. Being a better collaborator is a journey, not a destination. And the good news is that you can get there with practice and patience.

#1: Mean what you say

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No one would hate a compliment. But when “good job” becomes words you use anytime in every situation, then it loses its meaning.

While singing people’s praises is a good leadership trait, it’s not about doing it all day long. Communicate “negative” feedback appropriately if you want to be a helpful leader.

In other words, constructive feedback is the key to facilitate growth. Do it so your co-workers can grow through the experience. Also, as you find ways to provide feedback, take it as a chance to learn how to use this soft skill to build trust.

Need to find a balance when it comes to “negative” and positive reinforcement? Use the sandwich method to stack it in this way: positive – constructive – positive. Keep in mind to have honest talks that include actionable steps too.

“Remember: It’s one thing to critique. It’s another to give constructive feedback with a path to improvement,” Stanton states.

#2: Be true to yourself

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While you can look up to other leadership examples outside the workplace, be true to who you are. Don’t get us wrong because there is nothing wrong with observing different management styles in an attempt to incorporate new approaches or techniques.

But Stanton believes that you only become the best version of yourself as a leader when you are authentic to who you are. Trying to be someone or something you’re not will only show that you’re putting on an act.

Speak from the heart even if it means showing your fellow workers a vulnerable side of yourself. You’re not a superhero, and there’s no need to try to be one.

#3: Take accountability when things go wrong

man with a disapproving look at the office

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Falling into a victim mindset when things take a wrong turn is a dangerous situation to allow yourself to be in. If you continually let yourself sink into the mentality that the hurdles you face happened because they were not within your control, it will only make matters worse in the long run.

We know taking responsibility even when it may not be your fault is not a simple step to take. But as a leader, you want to take accountability and also question the role you played in the issue. Could it be a lack of supervision? Or maybe you were too hung up on other projects to provide support to your team?

Be a leader people can trust and lead by example before you start pointing fingers at others.

#4: Rethink micromanagement

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Ask any employee, and they will reveal how much they detest micromanaging superiors. Stanton also mentions how micromanaging people are rarely influential.

In your entire career, you would probably have come across a few micromanaging managers or maybe even struggling with one right now. There’s a thin fine line between aiming to be in control and obsessively controlling others.

If you want your subordinates to learn, allow them space to make mistakes. “Obviously, you want to put guardrails in place and make sure those mistakes happen in a controlled setting, but your goal is to get them to a place where they feel comfortable and confident operating on their own,” Stanton points out.

Don’t forget we’re talking about building trust here and it goes both ways. Give your colleagues the belief they need if you want a reciprocal work relationship.

And yes, you will require lots of patience to get to the endpoint (if there is even one). A tremendous amount of time and effort is necessary to guide your team members towards the right path. Not to mention that you have to be prep yourself to deal with their potential mistakes along the way.

But look far ahead instead of merely fixing your eyes on the short-term sacrifices.

#5: Reflect and seek feedback

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Examine your relationship with your co-workers right now. Do you find them sharing direct feedback with you regularly, openly, and comfortably?

According to Stanton, the last thing you want is to revolve around only a vacuum of your thoughts. No matter how busy your schedule is, take time to hear other people’s perspectives because there’s more to gain than lose.

As a leader, you want to foster a nurturing environment where your employees or co-workers can honestly share how they feel knowing that they won’t be judged. Also, receive their suggestions and act on it rather than merely accepting it.

No one is born as a perfect leader. It takes ups and downs to get you where you want to be. Treat this leadership journey as a learning opportunity for you to mature as a person as well. Keep at it!