After our Humphrey Seminar on Monday I was doing research
about leadership skills and came across a link which talks
about the 11 skills that leaders can learn to use. I would
like to share some of the things that caught my attention,
some of which we have done directly/indirectly during our
seminars or team meetings.
Firstly, a leader should understand the characteristics of
each member of the team. This help the leader to deal with
each member as an individual, to treat that individual with
respect and to help that person grow.
Knowing and using the resources of the group. The resources
here refer to skills and abilities of individuals. When the
leader uses the skills and ability of participants to get
the job done, participants gain experience and improve
skills and also develop positive attitude towards using the
skills.
To improve your skills in getting information, a leader has
to pay attention and listen carefully, make notes/sketches
and ask questions while to improve your skills in giving
information, a leader has to be sure that others are
listening before he/she speaks, speak slowly and ask those
listening to repeat what they understood.
The leader also has to draw a plan, execute and evaluate the
plan. Above all setting the example is described as the most
important leadership skill.
I will like to end with this quote from an ancient Chinese
Philosopher Lao-Tzu in which he said: “But of a good
leader…When the work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will
say, ‘we did this ourselves’”
