How to be a boss: Tips for aspiring leaders

Whether you have just embarked on the next step on your career ladder or you have future aspirations, becoming a successful leader takes more than simply getting a promotion. There is a big difference between a manager and a leader - ‘manager’ is simply a job title, whereas leaders actually lead. This means inspiring, encouraging, and motivating your team consistently, for the long haul.

Here are our tips to help you step up to the challenge and lead successfully into the future.

Be proactive and visible

You need to make it clear you have what it takes to be a leader - simply wanting it is not enough. Take initiative and step in without having to be asked. Pitch in and help your team members. Participate in meetings and events. Showing that you are not only doing a good job yourself, but also care about the team and the company as a whole, highlights leadership potential. And don’t be afraid to ask your current leader for advice. It will ensure they’re aware of your goals, plus you can hone the leadership skills that they’re looking for.

Get to know yourself

Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. What qualities do you possess that will help you step into a leadership role? What skills are you missing? Ask peers and colleagues for honest feedback, and work on improving areas you’re lacking in. Being self-aware is invaluable, as you will be a leader who owns their mistakes and is honest and approachable. Once you understand yourself, you’ll have a clear vision of your motivation and how to progress to that role.

Practice empathy

The Adecco Group’s Resetting Normal survey found that while 74% of workers say managers should promote team morale and culture, only 48% say their managers meet or exceed their expectations. The health crisis shone a light on how external issues can impact working life and how important it is to have support from those around you. A good leader knows their team and what drives them. Foster your working relationships by practicing empathy. Really listen to your colleagues, whether it be about work or personal life. This will make for a strong, collaborate team and help you become a leader that inspires.

Stay organised

Prioritise solving issues with time management and organisation now, and you will thank yourself later. After all, you will be expected to lead people while dealing with multiple tasks and workplace challenges at the same time. Make organising and planning a part of your daily routine. From prioritising and delegating tasks, to staying on track with goals and targets, you will build the foundation for being a leader that communicates expectations clearly and stays aligned with their team.

Remain flexible

Remember that businesses and people are unpredictable. Be ready to shift your goals to suit each situation and pivot to react to new challenges. Of course it’s important to plan ahead, but this shouldn’t be set in stone. It’s likely you’ve already had unexpected setbacks in your career where you’ve had to rethink your next steps, but you overcame those challenges by adapting. Remaining flexible builds resilience, essential in today’s successful leader.

Be human

People respond positively to authenticity. Trying to maintain an air of mystery or replicating someone else’s work style simply makes you seem inaccessible and ungenuine. When you present your real self – by asking for help, admitting mistakes, and being vulnerable – it fosters a culture of trust and openness. When you later step into that leadership role, you’ll already have the skills in place to effectively connect with your team.

Continue learning

Your development and growth shouldn’t stop when you become a leader. Get into the mindset of continuous learning now, and it will be an integral part of your working life going forward. As well as finding relevant training to improve on both hard and soft skills, speak with other leaders about their experience. You’ll gain insight on how to transition to being a leader and discover different management styles. It’s also a good idea to find a mentor within your company or industry who can help guide you and offer advice throughout your leadership journey.

Take risks

Step out of your comfort zone. Embrace change. Don’t be afraid to fail. This doesn’t mean making rash decisions without thinking of the consequences. Great leaders take risks for the good of the company and the individuals within that company. They are self-aware, agile, and collaborative. And they take failure as an opportunity to grow and gain a fresh perspective. Start small, for example by volunteering to take on a challenging task or presenting a new idea in a meeting. By stepping up, you’ll encourage others to do the same – just as a good leader would.