If you want to become a leader in the workplace, you’ll need to
change more than just your outlook. Becoming a true leader isn’t as
simple as managing a team and delegating tasks. You need to learn how to
handle stressful situations with ease and make sure that everyone in
your team feels valued.
Instead of just supervising a group of
people and getting the work done, you need to inspire them to do better
every day and step out of their comfort zone. Your focus needs to be on
building relationships with your employees and getting them to trust
you.
Let’s take a look at what sets a leader apart from a manager and how to develop leadership skills in the workplace.
1. Be Open-Minded and Innovative
Leaders
are always open to new things. They have a passion for creating, and
they don’t shy away from experimenting with new ideas. They don’t
believe in sticking with tradition and are always looking for better
opportunities to explore.
They’re unafraid of the challenges
that come their way and encourage their employees to think outside of
the box. Managers, on the other hand, believe in sticking to what they
know. They aren’t open to new changes and like to stay within their
comfort zone.
2. Take Risks
Leaders are all about taking
risks every time an opportunity presents itself. They understand the
importance of risks and are eager to learn from their failures. They
believe that risks bring forth a realm of possibilities for any business
and help a company grow.
They aren’t scared of failing because
they realize that every failure is a blessing in disguise. They exude an
aura of positivity and create a sense of hope and curiosity in their
employees.
Managers avoid taking risks because they don’t feel
comfortable in newer and unforeseen territories. They believe in
following tried and tested ways to solve all their problems and don’t
appreciate disruptive thinking in the workplace.
3. Stand Out from the Rest
Leaders
are driven by their need to stand out and be unique. They’re aware of
themselves and aren’t scared of owning up to their shortcomings. They’re
willing to take their business to new heights by deviating from
established procedures.
They value different opinions and encourage their team members to share and explore new ideas.
Managers
like to emulate their predecessors. They replicate what they’ve been
taught and don’t feel comfortable with the idea of standing out. They
aren’t always eager to accept responsibility for their mistakes. For
them, their employees are just individuals who work for them and are
expected to complete the tasks they’ve been assigned.
Bottom Line
Now
that you’ve learned what makes a leader different from a manager, you
can also become a great leader in the workplace by changing your way of
thinking. The next time you’re faced with a challenge, you need to be
willing to take risks and have an open mind to increase your chances of
success.