A manager isn’t necessarily an effective leader. By the same token, an effective leader doesn’t have to be a manager. Yet the most effective managers generally have good leadership skills. For a manager to create an atmosphere where employees will follow with blind devotion, the manager must first be an effective leader.
Managers tend to have tunnel vision, with their main focus on the bottom line. Efficiency is what a manager is all about. A good leader that is also a manager, is naturally concerned about the bottom line but instead of concentrating on efficiency, a leader concentrates their efforts on Effectiveness. The manager focuses on systems and structure, the leader focuses on people.
An effective leader will not “push” their people through coercion, but instead will “pull” their people together by attracting them to a common vision. We often hear about the team effort, but how can there be an effective team without an effective leader.
When employees truly work as a team, rest assured they most likely work with a leader that has three of the main traits of Positive Leadership:
• Competency
• Energy
• Integrity
Competency as a Leadership Trait
When someone is put into a management position, most employers look towards competency as the main factor. In order to be an effective leader, employees need to know without a doubt that their manager is competent at their position. It’s important when decisions are made that they are well thought out. The overall decision should be made with consideration to customers and employee alike.
Energy as a Leadership Trait
Energy is a leadership trait that can rub off on employees. If employees feel their manager is being negative, they in turn will become negative. Having a positive outlook and exuding energy and enthusiasm is contagious and creates a positive attitude throughout the company.
Integrity as a Leadership Trait
Naturally honesty is a major factor, but integrity is much more. Integrity also means to do what’s 'right'. An effective leader needs to be empathetic to others in every decision they make. They need to be able walk in someone else’s shoes and see things from other people’s perspective. When making a decision, a leader must consider the effect the decision has on their people and do what’s right. Trust is also an important component of integrity. Employee empowerment can’t be emphasised enough for employee satisfaction. Employee empowerment reinforces that the manager is an effective leader with integrity and trust in their employee’s abilities.
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