It could be argued that some people are born leaders. Others may suggest that we make a choice to be at the front, leading our team. What do you think?
Firstly, define a leader. A leader could be described as someone who influences others; or who is naturally dominant- personally and professionally. They may have grown up in an environment which has forced them to become responsible and resourceful- or may just love to be in charge of a team.
Leadership requires the in-built capacity to appreciate the needs of others. Managers can easily focus so much on business targets and personal goals that they forget to consider the pressure on the team as a whole. Bernard Bass, noted leadership scholar, said, "The leader must be able to know what followers want, when they want it, and what prevents them from getting what they want." Without this team-focused attitude, a working environment can soon lose motivation and morale, keeping you further away from reaching the goals of your business.
Experience is the key to leadership success. If you are new to a leadership position, you may call upon past personal experiences that have required you to be the guiding light of a team. If you are an established leader, having the humility to recognise there is always more to learn is critical. Talent can be nurtured, regardless of experience.
Professional development training can help nurture mid-level and senior management to lead by example and guide their staff through change, especially in a time of advancing technology, business processes and changing markets. True North have been helping leaders to meet their potential for over 10 years.