Sterpenich

 

6 Clear Signs You’re Ready for A Leadership Role

1. You’re good at giving constructive feedback

One of the qualities of a good leader is the ability to evaluate an individual objectively and offer critical but constructive feedback to help them improve and grow in their career path. Do you find yourself giving team members helpful advice on a regular basis? Do they appreciate it and find it helpful? If yes, give yourself a pat on the back and check this box.

 

2. You’re decisive and calm under pressure

You’re often told by bosses and colleagues that you handle pressure really well, and you receive compliments regularly about your impressive ability to stay calm and decisive in stressful situations. Does this sound like you? If you’re seriously considering applying for a leadership position, being able to stay in control and make quick decisions under pressure is a prerequisite.

 

3. You’re well-liked

To be an effective leader, you need to inspire those around you. This means being well-liked by your superiors and peers. While you can’t please everyone, it’s essential that those around you respect you enough to follow your lead even when they don’t share your perspective. You’ll find it tough (if not impossible) to lead if you can’t inspire confidence and trust in your decisions.

 

4. You believe in accountability

As a leader, you’ll need to embrace accountability for those working under your supervision. Their mistakes will be your mistakes, just as their achievements will be a positive reflection of your guidance and direction. Applying for a leadership position means assuming responsibility for each individual reporting to you and making sure they work and grow together as a team.

 

5. You’re good at managing people

In parallel with the previous point, good people management skills are imperative if you aspire to be an effective leader. You will face the unenviable task of managing individuals with different personalities and temperaments while helping them to realise their full potential within the organisation. It’s a tall order, but that’s what good leaders have a natural aptitude for. Being a leader isn’t just about telling people what to do. It’s about bringing out the best in people and guiding them towards a path of continued career growth and professional excellence.

 

6. You know when to say ‘no’

As a leader, you’ll need to prioritize your time and resources, besides making difficult choices to meet company objectives and deliver projects within agreed budget and timelines. You will have a lot on your plate. You won’t be able to get your job done if you’re constantly saying yes to colleagues asking for favours or taking on all projects assigned to your team. You need to be able to say ‘no’ if the situation warrants it.

One of the key qualities of an effective leader is efficiency in managing workload and resources. No point in taking on more work if your people are already pulling overtime shifts on a regular basis. You need to prioritize your team’s well-being and look at the big picture. An overworked team will not be a productive or motivated team.