6 Unquestionable Behaviors Separating High Leaders From Poisonous Bosses

Regardless of whether your company is a startup or an established company, as a leader, you need to get the most out of your people in order to get the best out of your people.

A mountain of evidence published in countless journals and authored by renowned thought leaders continues to reflect a harsh reality: Leadership is about relationships and results. The echo of “people before profit” is a deafening truth that is too difficult for many sitting in their ivory towers to hear.

A research study that I like and use to educate my own leadership development course discovered six characteristics of servant leadership that, when actively demonstrated up, down, and across levels can lead to thriving and result-oriented work cultures.

Organizations looking to improve leadership effectiveness can begin by practicing these six traits at all levels of leadership to have an impact on the people they employ and the customers they serve.

1. Be authentic

The best leaders are open to input from others. You are transparent, confident and try to understand yourself and others in order to quickly solve problems and find an agreed solution. They maintain a high level of integrity and develop more productive relationships than their less authentic counterparts.

2. Appreciate others

True leaders believe and trust their employees – their strengths, skills, potential, and commitment to the job – before they have to earn it. These leaders have high regard for their people, show them respect, and are receptive to their needs.

3. Let people grow

Great leaders ensure learning and growth. You develop potential and career paths for others. They also model appropriate behavior and build their people through encouragement and affirmation.

4. Specify the direction

You will envision the future and use intuition and foresight to move the organization forward. You take initiative and move forward and consistently clarify goals and expectations in order to arrive at the vision.

5. Let others guide you

They share their power and decision-making while pressing down on authority to empower others. Because of their selflessness, it is natural to share status in terms of position or honor.

6. Build close bonds

Great leaders develop trustworthy relationships and have good relationships with others at all levels. They encourage a sense of belonging and solidarity among all team members. They also work together and value teamwork while assessing the differences of others.

Adopting these behaviors in support of cultural change is not easy and can take several seasons. To start the process, top decision makers and HR managers must first clearly understand how employees are feeling about the environment they are working in so that they can determine the best strategy to help management successfully tackle the tough challenges to support in a time after Covid.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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