According to a recent study, 70 percent of managers struggle to transition into effective leadership roles, often failing to inspire and guide their teams to success.
In my experience as a leadership executive coach, the transition from managing to leading is not easy, which is why many managers struggle to make the shift. They are comfortable with the familiar role of overseeing tasks and ensuring compliance. However, to truly succeed as a leader, one must learn to let go of control and trust in their team’s abilities. Here are some essential ways to successfully move from managing people to leading employees:
Develop a Leadership Mindset: Embrace a growth mindset and cultivate the qualities of effective leaders. Focus on developing emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience. Continuously learn and seek out opportunities to expand your leadership skills and knowledge.
Shift Focus Outward Instead of Inward: Leaders prioritize the needs of their team and the organization above their own. They focus on helping others succeed and achieve their goals. Shift your attention from personal achievements to empowering and supporting your team members.
Empower Rather Than Micromanage: Trust your employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Provide guidance and support, but avoid micromanaging every detail. Empower your team to take initiative, solve problems, and learn from their experiences.
Develop Interpersonal Skills: Invest in building strong relationships with your team members. Practice active listening, empathy, and effective communication. Seek to understand their perspectives, motivations, and challenges. Developing strong interpersonal skills will help you connect with and lead your team more effectively.
Communicate Openly and Frequently: Transparent and frequent communication is critical for building trust and alignment. Keep your team informed about goals, expectations, and changes. Encourage open dialogue, feedback, and ideas. Regularly communicate the purpose behind decisions and how they align with the organization’s mission.
Focus on Building Trust: Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Demonstrate integrity, follow through on commitments, and lead by example. Create a safe environment where employees feel comfortable taking risks and expressing their opinions. When you build trust, your team will be more engaged, loyal, and willing to go the extra mile.
Cast a Compelling Vision: Leaders inspire and motivate their teams by casting a compelling vision for the future. Paint a clear picture of what success looks like and how each team member’s contributions make a difference. Communicate the vision frequently and help employees connect their work to the larger purpose.
By adopting these strategies, you’ll not only change how you work but also how you are perceived within your organization. It’s about shifting from controlling to empowering, from maintaining to innovating, and from instructing to inspiring.
Lead From Within: Your leadership has the power to transform lives and shape the future of your organization so stop managing and start leading.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- Manager Vs Leader: Which One Are You?
- The Best Way for Leaders to Build Trust
- The Biggest Difference Between Leaders and Managers
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- Great Leaders Don’t Say Just Trust Me
- Leadership vs. Management: What Type of Leader Are You?
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.