Leadership isn't merely a position; it's a responsibility that significantly impacts individuals, communities, and organisations. Leaders continually face distinct challenges that necessitate drawing upon their experience, team management skills, and decision-making abilities to meet overall expectations within an organisation or situation.

Becoming a better leader involves recognising factors that can hinder professional growth and potentially affect team morale. For example, inexperience, particularly among new leaders, can limit their ability to bring out the best in their teams. This calls for leaders to rely on academic knowledge alongside introspection and deliberate conditioning.

Gaining the respect and trust of a team can be especially demanding for newly appointed leaders. Finding the balance between being authoritative and approachable is crucial. A leader seeks to be taken seriously and respected while also fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable. Conflict poses a threat to team performance and even retention rates.

Successful leaders comprehend that certain challenges require a shift in mindset to unlock qualities not found in conventional knowledge sources. This shift is pivotal in overcoming obstacles and revealing unexplored traits vital for effective leadership.

Mentioned below are the crucial attributes that epitomise a resilient and mindful leader:

The art of decision-making

Strong leadership centres on making effective decisions. New leaders can hone this skill by gathering information, pinpointing priorities, taking calculated risks, and communicating final choices. Informed decisions result from collecting pertinent data and seeking input from team members for a well-rounded perspective. Prioritise decisions based on their impact and urgency, recognising that some may necessitate taking quantifiable risks. Courageous leaders embrace these risks, learning from any missteps along the way. Lastly, transparently communicate decisions with honesty and rationale, along with your expectations, earning appreciation from your team.

Setting expectations

Clear expectations are crucial for a leader's success, as mentioned earlier. Leaders should explicitly define roles and responsibilities, ensuring each team member comprehends their duties. Establishing performance standards and regularly offering feedback keeps everyone aligned. Consistency in setting and enforcing expectations fosters trust, and reliability, and eliminates confusion within the team.

Keeping transparency

Transparency is the foundation for trust within a team. In order to foster trust, leaders must be transparent in sharing information with team members. This could be the organization’s goals, challenges, decisions, and more. That’s right, be open about challenges as well. Admit when you don’t have all the answers and seek input from others. Being honest about limitations can help bring a team closer together to achieve said objectives. This requires an open dialogue, so encourage it as it will make team members feel comfortable to share their thoughts and concerns.

Communicating well

Effective leadership thrives on robust communication. New leaders should actively listen, valuing others' perspectives and fostering an environment where team members freely express their thoughts. Given diverse age groups, cultures, and sensibilities within teams, adapt communication styles to suit their needs.

Research from the Global Culture Report 2024 indicates a fivefold increase in employee satisfaction when they feel heard, contributing to a people-centric culture where every voice matters, and cultivating a sense of belonging. Simultaneously, while encouraging open dialogue, offer constructive feedback. This not only aids team members' growth but also portrays a leader invested in their individual development.

Time management

Time management is pivotal for leaders as time is finite. New leaders must prioritise tasks to avoid being consumed by day-to-day duties. Delegating responsibilities is a part of leadership, entrusting certain tasks to the team to focus on strategic matters. Learning to decline commitments prevents burnout and acknowledges personal limitations. Moreover, recognising the team's need for flexibility and empathy is crucial. Disregarding individual flexibility needs at work can heighten dissatisfaction and increase the risk of burnout.

Taking time to settle

When Laxman Narasimhan was appointed CEO of Starbucks, he spent five months getting to know the company culture across 33 stores spanning 12 global markets. This helped Laxman appreciate the effort that the employees put in, get a first-hand feel of the challenges confronted by them and also interact with the company’s partners and distribution centres. He took some time to settle into his new role and also allowed his global teams to interact with him. 

As a new leader, you need to be very patient – both with yourself and the team. You must learn from your mistakes and use failures as opportunities for growth and improvement. Connect with experienced leaders who can mentor, and offer guidance and support. 

Managing emotions

Leaders, being human, experience emotions, but managing them is crucial. Self-awareness is key as emotions can influence interactions and decisions. A 2022 Deloitte study revealed that a third of executives working with emotionally negative managers often experience fatigue, and stress, and are more likely to leave the organisation.
Maintaining composure in tough situations inspires confidence in the team. Seeking emotional support or professional help to manage stress is wise. Leaders facing emotional challenges should lean on trusted colleagues or mentors for guidance rather than avoiding the issue.

Being open to feedback

Feedback is a gift that can help leaders grow and improve. Chanel’s global CEO, Leena Nair, lives by her ‘Lift as you climb’ motto. She believes in seeing people reach their potential through growth and be an inspiration to others. Even leaders like Leena look to others for guidance. She has credited former PepsiCo CEO, Indra Nooyi, to be her mentor and continues to ‘learn’ from her. She is open to relearning even at her level and sharing insights with others. 

As a new leader, solicit feedback regularly by asking team members for their input on your leadership style. Once again, gather consensus to get a rounded perspective. Take the constructive feedback seriously and work towards making the necessary changes. It is only when a leader does this can he or she expects to see the same attitude of self-reflection and correction in the team.

Mastering these aspects demands time, patience, and an open-minded attitude. Shifting from a team member to a successful leader necessitates mental reconditioning. It involves thinking differently, adapting to circumstances, and embracing a collaborative mindset. Leadership transcends titles; it embodies integrity, empathy, and a dedication to ongoing enhancement.