In today’s rapidly changing world, being a leader is not about a title or position on an organizational chart. It’s about committing to live, albeit not perfectly, the qualities that inspire trust, foster growth, and cultivate a culture of excellence.
Becoming a leader others want to follow requires developing essential skills that are often difficult to measure. While it’s natural to think about leadership as how we impact others, the path to becoming a great leader starts with introspection — from within.
If you want to become a leader others want to follow, start by focusing on three critical areas: personal reflection, managing emotions, and motivating others.
3 Necessary Skills to Become a Leader Everyone Wants to Follow
Personal Reflection
Introspection is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Taking time to be quiet, listen, and reflect allows you to understand your strengths, opportunities for growth, and values. By looking inward first, we can connect more deeply to who we are, what we have to offer, how we can grow, and what we value. By allowing authenticity to supersede perfection, we learn the true version of ourselves is the best version, and that attracts the attention and respect of others.Managing Emotions
Emotions are contagious, for better or worse. Leaders set the tone for the entire team and organizational culture. This makes the ability to regulate emotions paramount. During a challenging moment, try to stay composed and seek to understand. Ask yourself: What is really happening here? Where is this person coming from? What is at the heart of this opportunity or challenge? Taking time to step back and evaluate can lead to better outcomes and modeling effective behavior for your team. Remember the mantra: Breathe and clarify.Motivating Others
Motivating ourselves and others requires galvanizing around a common purpose that drives everyone to pursue excellence and collective success. Here are a few practical ways to help do that:- Work to align values.
- Recognize and celebrate achievements.
- Respond to questions and the need for clarity.
- Set clear goals and expectations.
- Provide constructive feedback — and ask for constructive feedback from your team.
Join Charlie on June 5 to Level Up Your Leadership
Are leaders born? Is leadership something we can learn? If you are a nonprofit professional with 10 years or less of experience and want to level up by looking within to ask and answer deeper leadership questions, join us on March 22 in our Tampa training center for Level Up Your Leadership: How to Become the Leader Everyone Wants to Follow.
Nonprofit Leadership Center CEO Charlie Imbergamo, MA, CFRE, will explore how you think about leadership and new ways to advance your leadership path to become the type of leader others want to follow.
More Opportunities to Take Your Leadership to the Next Level
The Nonprofit Leadership Center offers many training classes and certificate programs to help nonprofit professionals at all levels of expertise and experience become leaders others want to follow. Explore our upcoming offerings and programs, or contact us to discuss custom coaching or training for you or your team.
