This document outlines 5 effective ways to be a leader. They are: 1) Inspire your team to action by painting a clear picture of goals and motivating them to achieve it. 2) Maintain optimism even when things are difficult to keep your team motivated. 3) Be a good listener to understand your team's ideas and make them feel involved. 4) Communicate important information to all employees so everyone understands goals and progress. 5) Uphold integrity by being honest, fair and treating all employees equally to create trust. Following these steps can help one become a great leader.

1. 5 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO BE
A LEADER

2. Inspire Your Team to Action
Inspire your team. It seems simple
enough. If your team doesn’t care about
the work that they won’t put their best foot
forward. A good leader will paint a paint a
clear picture on what the common goal is
all the while stressing the importance and
impact it will have on not only the
company, but the individual as well. In
addition to painting a picture, an effective
leader will also inspire their to whatever it
takes to get them to the common goal.
They will instill a sense of pride in their
team that will motivate said team to want
to take pride in their work.

3. Optimism Is Key
One of the top characteristics that any
leader needs to have is optimism. Even
things are in the process of falling
apart, an efficient leader needs to have
the ability to keep his team motivated
in order to reach the goal. A good
leader must continue to stay in good
spirits in order for the team to remain
motivated. Everyone wants to work for
someone who lifts them up and is able
to stay cool under pressure. If you as a
leader is down and stressed under
pressure, how would one expect their
team to flourish?

4. Be a Listening Ear
Another top trait that a good leader must
possess is the ability to listen. Don’t always
bark orders and dictate. Take a moment to
listen to your team and digest their ideas and
thoughts. Everyone likes to feel like they are
a part of a team and an integral part of the
process. By being a dictator, your team will
start to feel like a robot and therefore lose
any interest that they may have in the
project. An efficient leader will listen to ideas
from their team and incorporate them into
the project. This will instill a sense of pride
in their work. People do their best work
when they are a part of an environment that
supports them and makes them feel
comfortable to take risks and speak up.

5. Communicate
In any organization, knowledge is key
and a great leader will ensure that
every employee is provided with the
most up to date information about
any goals, project, or pertinent
information. From the top of the org
chart, all the way to the bottom. This
way team members are fully aware of
anything that can hinder or advance
the common goal.

6. Integrity
Research shows that one of the top
characteristics that an employee
wants from their leader is a sense
of integrity. Someone that is
honest, fair, forthright, and is able
to treat everyone equally. This
creates a level of comfort between
employees and their employer and
will give people the ease to be
upfront in any situation.

7. No matter what industry or organization you’re in,
being a good leader is essential for success. By
following these steps, you’ll be on the fast track to
being a great leader!
Ryan Bisanz