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What is Leadership? Myths and realities.

He leadership is the key to a company, department or project of any field works. However, finding people who develop their leadership successfully in a team is not an easy task. Many of the problems arise from lack of knowledge or different points of view on the definition of leadership. For example, Is a good leader based on motivation or results?

To resolve this doubt and consolidate a realistic concept about leaders, below you will learn more about the importance, styles, skills and myths that exist around this controversial, and desired, figure.

What is leadership?

Leadership is a set of skills that serve to influence the way other people think or act.

However, this term should not be focused solely on changing people's minds. Because a leader also has the ability to take the initiative and provide innovative ideas, and not just give orders.

Leadership does not mean an unequal distribution of power. And even if the leader has the last word, it is teamwork that yields the best results.

Importance of leadership

The importance of leadership is more than evident in many areas of life, even beyond the business leadership. Since the leader is responsible for achieving the objectives in a much more effective and faster way.

Leadership is not flat, and depending on the context in which it is developed, it can determine the kind of social transformation it is capable of. It therefore has a function within the organization, community or society that stands out for its relevance and influence.

This is how organizations depend on leadership to grow and endure, and that is where its great importance lies. A leader will be able to establish good communication and improve the integration capacity of members, all in order to achieve a common goal.

Leadership can also be interpreted as a way of being, a way of directing and seeing how things are shaped over the years. It is a process of interaction between members of a group interested in the progress of the organization for which they work.

In short, the importance of leadership lies in the fact that it is the key to the survival of any organization. Even more so if we take into account that the ability to know how to guide and direct is at the heart of it.

For example, an organization may have optimal control, adequate planning, and top-quality resources, but it will not be able to survive without a leader who is appropriate for its goals.

Characteristics of a good leader

It doesn't matter if you're at the top of a large company or if you're managing a small group of people. There are certain things you can do to help others. skills of a leader that cannot be underestimated. These are the skills that are responsible for promoting and producing the best changes in an organization.

  1. Have a positive thought: Of all the characteristics of a leader Perhaps being positive is one of the most important. This is because by understanding the potential of positive psychology, you will understand the best way to implement learning in any situation to be presented.
  2. Be honest:The truth should always be a leader's greatest weapon. While reality can often be painful or annoying, hiding certain things can complicate many situations.
  3. Knowing how to delegate: A leader cannot do everything alone. Thinking this is unrealistic. Therefore, a good leader needs to leave others alone and trust his collaborators so that teamwork is efficient.
  4. Encourage good communication: Lack of communication is responsible for the failure of many operations in companies. So encouraging a useful one is one of the most sensible ways to cultivating success.
  5. Inspire the group: A group will be discouraged if it is faced with the lack of motivationThe role of the leader is designed in part to inspire and transmit passion to his collaborators.
  6. Establish strategies for a balanced life: A person who lives only to work will never give 100% of what he is capable of at work. This is because he will lack energy. On the other hand, those people who achieve a correct balance can increase your productivity at high levels. This is how a leader must ensure that his team is able to live a good balance between their work, personal or social life. You can learn to do this by putting into practice the 80/20 method.
  7. Aligning the team: A team must be focused on a long-term goal (mission), but setting achievable short-term objectives. The leader is once again in charge of this task.
  8. Give credit where due:People who do their job well or achieve goals should be rewarded and given credit so that they feel motivated and their confidence increases.
  9. Appreciate the achievements:For a leader to appreciate an achievement, it does not have to be a colossal one, but even small achievements must be recognized. Even if they are small or modest, it is good to do this.
  10. Promote growth: A good leader must encourage the professional and personal growth and development of his or her collaborators. As a result, he or she will be able to increase work productivity.
  11. Be the guide: A leader should never act like a boss, much less exert influence using power and intimidation as his main tools. One must know how to differentiate between leading and imposing.
  12. Encourage good habits: For a project to be successful, its collaborators must also be happy and productive, and the key is to promote good lifestyle habits. Help them to have a healthier and more stable life at all times.
  13. Maintain a neutral position: Favoritism should not exist in a healthy work environment, much less on the part of the leader. This is why one must always focus on demonstrating that all collaborators are treated equally, without any kind of distinction.