The workplace continues to evolve, creating a demand for leadership to evolve, as well.
Harvard Business Review identifies the following essential skills leaders should master that can help them lead their companies and inspire their teams.
- Emotional aperture. The ability to read your team’s emotional tone is important. Successful leaders pick up on unspoken cues—such as tensions and dynamics—and use what they observe to guide their actions.
- Adaptive communication. You must know how to change your communication style depending on the situation and audience. When you listen more and speak less, you show employees you want to understand them, and this can help build genuine connections.
- Perspective seeking. Your employees have diverse experiences and will offer different opinions and ideas. It is important to actively listen to team members because it can lead to more creative, thoughtful solutions.
- Strategic disruption. Rather than sticking to what already has been established, good leaders are not afraid to challenge the status quo. You should question outdated practices and be open to continuous learning so you can explore new ideas.
- Resilient self-awareness. Leaders are human and must practice self-awareness, recognizing their limits and setting healthy boundaries. Establish a strong support network and do not hesitate to seek support when you need it. Demonstrating self-care can help set a strong example for your team.
