-
The 4 Traits of Every Successful Leader
They say employees don’t quit jobs—they quit bosses.
In our experience managing clients through countless recruitment pipelines, we’ve found this to be absolutely true. Employees with stars in their eyes get swayed by recruiters, join new companies, and then turn over within the first six months.
What’s to blame?
Unfortunately, it may be your own management. Of course, your job as the leader is to make the tough calls, not be popular. But if your leadership tactics wear down your employees to the point of turnover, you might need to work on a few things.
1. Stop compromising
As your team’s leader, you’ll have the final call on decisions—but tread carefully when making decisions. You’ll likely be involving multiple managers and team members in your discussions, and while they’ll surely have some great insights to share, some leaders get swayed too easily and compromise on their initial vision to accommodate these new opinions.
This seems appealing from a team unity perspective, but it’s a bad leadership habit. Use the instincts that got you where you are today and take ownership of your team’s decisions.
2. Right is better than fast
This one might seem like a given, but it’s a trap that all leaders fall into at some point. Shortcuts are tempting when you’re scrambling to meet short-term goals, but shortcuts generally mean mortgaging long-term potential for immediate gains. Do it right the first time if you’re bothering to do it at all.
3. Embrace failure
Great leaders tend to have a lot in common, including how they handle failure. Effective leaders embrace failure as opportunities for growth. Easier said than done maybe, but you’ll learn more from losing than winning. Look for ways to adapt your strategy in the future, and don’t be too hard on your team. Own up to your mistakes and take your share of the responsibility rather than pointing fingers.
4. Deliver feedback at the right time
Effective leaders praise in public and criticize in private. This is another habit that many leaders theoretically agree with but fail to put into practice. In the interest of team morale, you’ll manage your team most effectively by keeping your outward projections positive while saving your harshest criticisms for one-on-one reviews.
Leading is about team management
Employees are attracted to great company cultures in the same way customers are attracted to great products: If you build it, they will come. But great company cultures come from great leaders, and you won’t be able to build this desirable culture without embodying these ideals in your own right.
Help your team feel energized about their duties, focus on quality over speed, and never compromise on the tough calls.
If you’re struggling to lead your team effectively, or if you’re rethinking your company’s recruitment practices, contact Urgenci for an assessment of your organization.
Urgenci
