10 Easy But Proven Tips of Becoming a Competent Leader

People who accept higher responsibilities of leadership often fail to realize the extent of such responsibilities. All too often, they assume that they will be doing the work the same way it has always been done. Except that this time, they will be in charge and for real because a real change in life is occurring. The new leader requires a new set of skills, attitude and behaviors in order to fit properly into his/her new post.

The following are some easy but proven tips on becoming a competent leader;

1. Research your new job.

   Spend quality time to find out all you can about your new job like: your company (if it is one you have not previously worked for); the department you will be working in; your job responsibilities; the history of the position; your predecessor and his/her approach to the job; and your new subordinates, if you don't already know them. You should also get to know the purpose of your department, team or unit, what work is being done, what is the current state of play. Most importantly, get to know your boss and his expectation(s) and the expectation of your customers as well.

2. Start planning in advance.

   You should be able to form at least a tentative plan. It will be more difficult to plan once you are in position. Think about what you would like to achieve and mark out strategies on how to go about achieving it. You should also plan on how you can develop your self to meet the demand of your new job. Reflect on your strength and your weaknesses, on how you can deploy your positive qualities and experiences to your advantage and compensate for your limitations/weaknesses. Above all don't depart too dramatically and quickly from establish practices.

3. Get to know your team.

   Meet with your team first together and then individually. Don't skimp on time, as this first meeting sets on stage for building a productive relationship with your team. Try a much as possible to listen carefully and patiently, eliciting information about the work and about them as individuals. Consider always leaving the team with a point to reflect on: “what should I do or not do not to enable you perform your job properly and effectively?”

4. Focus on building important relationship(s).

   Introduce your self to customers, suppliers and the people who make up the professional network surrounding your job. Get to know your boss immediately and find out things like the frequency of status reports (daily, weekly and monthly) and the desired mode of communication, like email, voice mail, or face to face.

5. Identify likely standard of performance.

   Observe, listen and note what is acceptable and what is not in your new environment. Within a few weeks, you should have some ideas of what your staff expects of you. Identify the criteria by which your boss peers and your customers will judge you. Try as much as possible to be honest with your self- can you meet those standards? If not what do you need to do in order to meet those standards? Reflect on who can possibly help you and what the price might be.

6. Appreciate efforts.

   Make it a point of noticing and showing appreciation when some one put in extra time and effort. If you are aware that another team member wanted or expected to get your job, acknowledge the fact and express the hope that you can work together on a friendly basis and say that you look forward to his/her help.

7. Don't be the lone ranger.

   In order to be an effective leader, you should always lead by involving team members. Listen to what they are telling you, and especially if the team has been working together for a long time. They probably have a better sense of what is going on, what needs to be done and where the sand traps are, than you who is new in the business.

8. Lead by example.

   Demonstrate strong personal commitment to achieving your department's, unit's or team's goal(s). Build strong warm, friendly relationships rather than remain aloof. However, there is a solid line between being friendly and being a pal. When you put on the manager's hat, your role automatically changes. You want respect first and hopefully being liked.

9. Take stock regularly.

   It is important for you to take time and reflect on your progress at the end of your first week, your first month and your first year. Identify issues that need immediate attention and ways of dealing with them, before it grows into big headaches. The pattern of behavior you set in your first three months will be extremely had if not impossible to change later. As a new leader, your primary task is to listen and learn.

10. Discover the leader in you.

    You can't make sense of your role as a leader unless you know your self first. Look up to others for guidance, leadership is a matter of how to be and not how to do it. In the end, at the end it is the quality and character of the leader that determines performance and results.

Make sure you become a great leader and not an ordinary leader.