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Effectively use your authority, quietly

Effectively use your authority, quietly. As business leaders and people leaders, it is true, you do have some authority. The trick to effective leadership is how you use that authority. 

First, you should never behave as though your authority somehow makes you superior to anyone. Those that feel superior or worse, treat others as though they are superior have a critical lack of self-awareness. The ability to be self-aware is one of the most important aspects of effective leadership. Your position or title does not make you superior. Your organization believed in your ability to effectively lead people. Once you feel superior to others, your effectiveness diminishes and you are left with an exaggerated opinion of yourself.  

Superior leaders viewed as arrogant. Arrogance does not equate to effectiveness. In fact, the best leaders have the ability to be confident without arrogance.  Effectively use your authority, quietly.

So, what is the best way to effectively use your authority? Quietly. 

Effective leaders don’t need to announce their authority. Effective leaders understand their position is to build and develop others and to build the business. 

What are some of the best ways to quietly be effective with your authority?
  • Build trust. Keep your word. After all, if you don’t have your word, what is left?
  • Communicate. Let your teams know to talk to you, with good news, bad news or simply important information. 
  • When your employees talk, listen. Really listen. 
  • Encourage and empower your team
  • Remove roadblocks for their success
  • Never, ever place blame. Don’t allow your team members to do it either. Blame brings zero value
  • Hold yourself accountable. If you are not accountable, you cannot expect your team to be accountable.
  • If you screw up, own it. You don’t have to be perfect but you do have to be honest.
  • Ask for help. You don’t know everything. Stop acting like you do. 
  • Respect others, always.
Leading others is a gift. Your employer thought enough of your abilities to provide you the gift of leading a portion of their business. Don’t abuse the gift. Don’t toss it away.

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