Zara was not always good at playing politics.
The organization transferred her to a new department where her visibility would be limited, and she could quietly do her work without distractions.
But then, her boss fell ill, and Zara suddenly became the leader.
She had no experience or training in leading a team, but she did her best to learn as she went along.
She quickly realized that she had some powerful enemies. Her enemies are determined to see her fail, but Zara is determined to succeed, even against all odds.
'How can I lead with no experience?' she asked me.
No one is born a leader.
Leaders are made through experience and learning from their mistakes.
However, some basic principles can help youth leaders to lead effectively, even if they don't have much experience.
In this post, we will discuss inexperienced leaders' techniques to be more effective.
1. WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?
'Leadership is the ability to elicit extraordinary performance from ordinary people'- Brian Tracy.
Leadership is a critical skill for any successful individual.
There are many different leadership types, each with its strengths and weaknesses. However, some of the most common types of leadership are:
Autocratic Leadership: This type of leadership is very authoritarian, and the leader makes all the decisions unilaterally. This type of leadership can be very effective in times of crisis, but it can also be very unpopular with employees.
Democratic Leadership: In contrast to autocratic leadership, democratic leadership involves input from all team members. The leader makes decisions after consulting with others, and everyone has a voice in the decision-making process. This type of leadership is often more effective in the long run because it builds buy-in from employees and encourages them to take ownership of their work.
Laissez-Faire Leadership: Laissez-faire leadership is a lack of involvement from the leader. Employees have a lot of autonomy and freedom to make their own decisions. This type of leadership can be effective in some situations but can also lead to chaos if employees are left supervised.
2. THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEADERS
The directive leader is quick to make decisions and may be autocratic. They expect their orders to be followed and may not take input from others. The directive leader is typically good at making quick decisions in difficult situations.
The supportive leader is nurturing and provides emotional support to the team. They usually have a positive outlook and try to build relationships with their team members. The supportive leader is typically good at motivating and inspiring their team.
The participative leader involves their team in decision-making and encourages input from all members. They typically have a good sense of timing and know when to be decisive and when to delegate. The participative leader is typically good at creating a shared vision and purpose for their team.
The delegation leader trusts their team to make decisions and act without constant instruction. They set goals and provide guidance but allow their team members the freedom to figure out the best way to achieve them. The delegation leader is typically good at empowering their team and building trust.
3. IDENTIFY WHERE YOU FALL ON THE LEADERSHIP SPECTRUM
Many people think that the best leaders are those who have much experience. And while experience is undoubtedly necessary, it's not the only factor determining success. Some people are new to leadership and fall somewhere on the leadership spectrum.
There are four main types of leaders: directive, supportive, participative, and delegative.
Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to find the style that best suits your team or organization.
Think about the groups you've been a part of in the past. Which type of leader was most effective? Which kind of leader do you think would be most effective for your current team or organization?
It's also important to consider your strengths and weaknesses as a leader.
Are you good at making quick decisions? Do you have a positive outlook? Do you like to involve others in decision-making? Do you trust your team?
If you're new to leadership, starting with a more directive leadership style might be helpful. This type of leader gives clear instructions and expects obedience.
They typically make quick decisions and like to be in control.
This can be a good style for new leaders who must establish authority and get things done quickly. However, it can also be seen as inflexible and unyielding.
If you're looking for a more supportive style of leadership, then the participative leader might be a better fit. This type of leader involves others in decision-making and encourages collaboration. They typically have a positive outlook and are good at building relationships. However, they can also be seen as indecisive or slow decision-making.
The delegation leader might be a good fit if you're looking for a more delegative style. This type of leader trusts their team to make decisions and takes a hands-off approach. They typically have much experience and are good at coaching and mentoring others. However, they can also be uninvolved or distant.
4. THE QUALITIES OF A LEADER
If you want to develop your leadership style, start by considering the following qualities:
Integrity – Leaders must be honest and ethical in all their dealings. They must also be willing to stand up for what they believe in, even if it is unpopular.
Communication Skills – Leaders must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels of an organization. They must be able to articulate their vision and goals, and they must be able to motivate and inspire others.
Vision and Strategic Thinking – Leaders need to be able to think strategically and see the big picture. They need to have a clear vision for where they want their team or organization to go, and they need to be able to develop strategies to achieve their goals.
Problem Solving Skills – Leaders need to be able to problem solve effectively.They need to be able to assess a situation, identify the problem, and come up with a solution.
Flexibility – Leaders need to be flexible and adaptable. They cannot afford to be inflexible in today’s ever-changing world.
Relationship Building Skills – Leaders need relationship-building solid skills to motivate and inspire others. They need to build trust and rapport with their team members to succeed.
Once you have considered these qualities, start working on developing your leadership style.
Be true to yourself and find what works best for you.
There is no one right way to lead, so find what works for you and your team or organization and go from there!
5. DEVELOP YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE
Which type of leader are you? The directive, supportive, participative, or delegative?
Think about the teams you've been a part of in the past. Which type of leader was most effective? Which kind of leader do you think would be most effective for your current team or organization?
It's also important to consider your strengths and weaknesses as a leader.
Are you good at making quick decisions? Do you have a positive outlook? Do you like to involve others in decision-making? Do you trust your team to make decisions and take action on their own?
Consider your answers to these questions and identify which type of leader you are.
Then, think about how you can use your leadership strengths to improve your team or organization.
Remember, there is no one right type of leader.
The key is to find the type of leader that best suits your team or organization.
Which type of leader are you? The directive, supportive, participative, or delegative?
I am a delegation leader. I trust my team to make decisions and act without needing constant instruction.
I set goals and provide guidance but allow my team members the freedom to figure out the best way to achieve them.
This leadership type is most effective because it builds trust and empowers my team.
It also allows me to focus on other important tasks because I don't have to monitor my team's progress constantly.
6. CREATE A VISION THAT MOTIVATES OTHERS
Emerging young leaders often feel pressure to create a vision for their team or organization. This can be a daunting task, but it is essential to remember that your image doesn't need to be perfect. It can evolve as you learn more about your team and its goals.
When creating a vision, it's essential to start by focusing on the big picture.
What are your team's goals? What is your mission? What is your purpose? Once you clearly understand these things, you can begin to develop specific goals and objectives for your team.
Your vision should be based on your values and beliefs.
It should reflect what you stand for as a team or organization.
This will help to inspire and motivate team members to work together towards a common goal.
A good vision statement is concise and easy to remember.
It should capture what you want your team or organization to achieve.
Revisiting your vision statement regularly and making necessary changes is essential as your team grows and changes, and so should your vision.
7. EMPOWER OTHERS BY DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITIES
It can be difficult for young leaders to delegate responsibilities, especially if they are new to the role.
However, delegation is an essential skill that can help to build teamwork and cooperation. By delegating tasks, young leaders can teach others how to be responsible and organized and free up their time to focus on other things.
Delegation can also help to improve communication within a team or organization.
When everyone is responsible for completing specific tasks, tracking progress and identifying potential problems becomes more accessible.
By working together, team members can learn more about each other and develop better relationships.
Starting delegation early on in your career is essential if you are a young leader.
This will help you become a more effective leader and prepare you for future opportunities. Be patient and take the time to explain the task at hand, as well as the reason for delegation. You may also want to follow up after completing the job to ensure it was done correctly.
8. BE FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS
As an emerging young leader, staying focused on your goals is essential, and not give up. Sometimes it seems impossible to achieve your goals, but you can make positive change happen by visiting laser-focused.
Here are a few tips to help you stay focused and achieve your goals:
Plan and stick to it. Develop an action plan and stick to it when you have a specific goal. This will help you stay on track and achieve your goal.
Embrace change. The world around us is constantly changing, so you need to be able to adapt along with it.
Use shift to your advantage and embrace new opportunities as they come your way.
Stay motivated. It can be tough to stay motivated when faced with challenges but remember why you set your goals in the first place.
Keep your focus on the end goal, and don't give up no matter what comes your way.
Following these tips can stay focused and achieve anything you want. Stay dedicated, and don't give up on your dreams; anything is possible with hard work and determination.
CONCLUSION
Leaders are not born; they are made.
And while experience is key to becoming a leader, it's not the only thing that matters.
Youth leaders can learn how to lead effectively by understanding what leadership is, knowing the different types of leaders, and identifying where they fall on the leadership spectrum.
By developing their leadership style and creating a vision that motivates others, youth leaders can empower those around them and achieve great things.
If you're looking for more information on this topic or want access to show notes from this episode, let us know in the comments below!
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