Most people can point to one or two influential people in their lives who inspired them to achieve more than they thought possible. Good leadership skills require the ability to manage, inspire and motivate others. A great leader has the right attitude and behavior to maintain morale while ensuring employees complete projects and tasks.
Rather than viewing leadership as a method of controlling those around you to achieve your aims, you may choose to think of it as a service position. Great leaders inspire loyalty and respect. By viewing leadership as a service, you can put your motivations aside and do what is necessary for the whole.
Further, most great leaders are made, not born. By taking on challenges, you can develop your ability to better manage situations and grow. Participating in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, such as one of the seven 100% online MBA program offerings from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), provides you with opportunities to confront novel challenges while continuing to work. For instance, leading group projects, managing events and participating in community activities all grant excellent opportunities for developing leadership skills.
Different Types of Leaders
Keep in mind that there are different ways to lead a group effectively. Autocratic leaders make decisions without team input. Democratic leaders want input from team members. Delegative leaders provide resources, key facts and contextual information while distributing decision-making responsibilities to chosen individuals or teams. Coaching leaders help team members build on their strengths and improve upon weaknesses, motivating and supporting employee growth.
Decide what type of leader you want to be and realize that most leaders use a combination of leadership styles and techniques.
Learn From Other Great Leaders in Your Field
Additional opportunities for growth include attending local seminars related to your field, becoming an expert in your chosen profession and paying attention to how established leaders organize and plan. Pay attention to how great leaders motivate and inspire crowds through body language, facial expression and rate of speech.
The ability to communicate is essential for all leaders, so take some communication courses and put yourself in situations that require you to speak in public. Online MBA programs often require you to create thoughtful and organized presentations. Even if you don’t have to present in a physical classroom, prepare speeches for your projects and practice in front of a mirror to develop your confidence.
The Traits of a Good Leader in Business and Beyond
Online MBA programs put you in touch with experienced teachers and professionals. Pay attention to how these individuals interact and conduct themselves. Great leaders have passion, ask relevant questions and take responsibility for decisions. Not every decision is straightforward, and it is up to you to make a judgment and follow it through to the end. Stretch yourself to see things from another point of view, encourage others and avoid publicly criticizing. If you must discipline someone, do it privately to show respect and consideration for individuals working for you.
Online MBA programs provide opportunities to learn how to manage your time while preparing you for the rigors of corporate life and giving you a leg up on the competition. An MBA program combined with real-life work experience gives you the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in any leadership position.
Learn more about TAMU-CC’s online MBA programs.
