How to become an effective leader?
 

I've been asked to let my inner leader out at work... I don't have a manager title. I'm the only one in my two departments (yeah, I'm a busy girl). I can tend to come off as a know-it-all. (I know this about myself but am so far unable to conquer this entirely. I don't think everyone thinks this about this however. Guess it's all in your point of view.)

Bottom line is - I need help.

If I want to continuing climbing in my career, and get a raise, I need to begin showing some area of management or leadership without my coworkers thinking:

1. She's not my boss! Why is she acting like some sort of leader around me?

and/or

2. Coming off as a bitchy know it all.

I get along well with my coworkers who all tend to get along well with each other. My position requires a work independantly quite a bit, but also work directly with others in a computer support manner.

I'm looking for ways I can improve my skills in this area. Book suggestions perhaps.

Or other ways if you've got some ideas.

I'm always for the lead by example method.
:)

Lead by example - don't ask someone to do something you wouldn't do.
Allow others to learn and grow - don't refuse to train them or "hoard" job responsibilities

As for books, I hear (but have yet to read) 10 habits of highly effective people is good.

A bit dated, but still relevant.

Might I also suggest asking higher-ups how to get ahead in the company. Let it be known that you would like the opportunity to show your meddle and that you would like to get ahead.

Also, getting your boss promoted is a good way to create a spot for yourself.

Someone very wise once told me that the best leaders view leadership as an honor and look for ways to serve the people that they are leading. Seems like a good perspective.

A lot depends on your style and the culture in which you work. For me it's been about collaboration - finding talented people and allowing them to do what they do best, and vision - having a clear idea of how you would like see things and selling it to the people you work with so that it creates or becomes a shared goal.

agreed. allow them to have input if they desire but dont force them to. some folks really do just want to follow but appreciate a leader who honestly values their input, even when they themselves dont have any.


respected is the General who is counted amongst his soldiers as one of their own

I try to be an effective leader by not killing my employees... :D

Seriously though...

Be fair - don't play favorites.

Be honest.

Keep them informed. If you can give out information to your staff, do so.

Be cheerful in the face of change.

Make sure you know how to do the job of everyone under you. Not so you can do it yourself, or try and tell them how to do it better, but so you have a common understanding of what the job is.

Encourage, never demand.

Interact with your employees. A manager who stays in their office all day is not managing effectively.

Don’t use passive voice when talking face-to-face; it’s patronizing.

Be consistent.

And above all… have a sense of humor.

Its funny how much of this applies to parenting.

Especially the last line.

I read the thread title as "How to be an effective ladder"

I don't have management experience, but I've got plenty of underling experience and I'd say that the managers that I respected most have been good at being an advocate for those they manage. The best thing that a manager has done for me is to make sure that the work I do is recognized by those that it should be recognized by.

I've managed both people and projects for many years. I've done it badly and I've done it well. I think the most important thing is to keep your own ego out of the management process. Respect those you manage, be open to ideas and suggestions, be a guide not an authoritarian, be willing to take on difficult situations and look for resolution, be willing to compromise, and give lots of praise when it is do, utilize the expertise of others and recognize their strengths. Team building is one of the most effective skills a manager can have. It's nice to be liked, but it's better to be respected and trusted. Be willing to admit when you are wrong or made a mistake and don't play the blame game.

I like many of the ideas I've read in this thread and would reiterate them, save for my laziness.

One suggestion, or at least a thought to put out there: be careful when talking to others about a desire to "move up." Depending on who your asking, how you ask it, and heck - what kind of day they're going through - it could be taken entirely the wrong way. One very safe way to talk to someone in a leadership position would be to do an informational interview with someone either in a different department/area, or even a different company. If you know someone outside of the company, invite them for some coffee, lunch or something, all with the understanding that you're looking for a little advice/information. They will probably be flattered and won't feel threatened. If someone within the company understands your position, then go within - since they'll understand things someone else might not.

The best managers I've had have been leaders who step up, but also encouraged my own growth. Seeing the strength and weaknesses in others is immensely beneficial and working with it and through it positively has always seemed like the right thing to do.

Oh, and if someone is suggesting that you do that - they probably see a lot of promise and you're probably doing things pretty right.