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’”
