How to Become a More Effective Leader

In today's changing society, leadership requires adaptability and the willingness to grow professionally if the leader is to remain relevant and effective. By effective, I mean directing, motivating, and enabling others to accomplish the desired mission or goals of the organization. This effectiveness in leadership can be developed by following these five principles on how to become a more effective leader.

Develop professional competence 

Learning for an effective leader is lifelong. Therefore, pursuing self-improvement has to be a way of life if the leader is to remain effective in an ever-changing world. Hence the leader has to invest in their personal and professional growth. Investing in your growth as a leader includes reading widely, Keeping current and up to date, and engaging in self-care, which means taking care of one's mental, emotional, and physical state on an ongoing basis.

Define and clarify the mission.

A mission statement defines what an organization is and why it exists. The leader should be clear on the organization's "why" and ensure the vision is clearly communicated to the team. So, What's your mission or the specific task(s) that you would like your team or group to accomplish? Once you have decided on the mission, your next step is to make it tangible through goal setting, with the appropriate strategies identified for achieving them. In other words, create clarity by asking, "where do I want to go (Goal), and how do I plan to get there (Strategy)?"

Develop and empower others

Visionary leaders will always seek to develop others around them. Hence if you are going to be an effective leader, you have to empower others and be mindful that in doing so, they will make mistakes. Therefore, give them responsibility or tasks to perform without micromanaging. However, be clear on their job description and teach them by example how to deal with failure and handle challenges when they arise. In addition, develop a mentoring culture - a developmental partnership through which one person shares knowledge, skills, information, and perspective- to foster someone else's personal and professional growth.

Value your subordinates

As a leader, you must value your subordinates. In some leadership circles, leaders say that their customers come first. However, for an effective leader, his team comes first because he knows his customers will be satisfied if his team is happy. Hence, treat subordinates fairly. Respond to their concerns and represent their interest. Be interested in their well-being, keep your word and promises, and never lie to those you lead. If you do, it will diminish your integrity and trust and sabotage your ability to lead effectively.

Uphold professional norms.

Maintaining order and discipline is critical to upholding professional standards in any organization. Furthermore, giving attention to order and discipline helps to heighten morale (esprit de corps) - the capacity of people to maintain belief in an institution or a goal or even in oneself and others. Why is morale so important? It is essential because when morale is low, turnover is usually high. Furthermore, a high turnover creates low performance and negatively impacts a company's bottom line.

A final thought

In one of the top leadership books of all time, Sun Tzu once said, "The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory and few calculations to defeat; how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose" (The Art Of War by Sun Tzu, Edited by James Clavel, p.11). 

Therefore, to be an effective leader, one must be intentional about their mission, personal growth, and that of his team members. When she does, she will undoubtedly be like the general who wins because she made many calculations in her temple before the battle was fought.