Are You Ready to Be a Leader Here Are 6 Clear Signs

Are you starting to wonder how to be a leader? Maybe you feel you’re ready to take on the challenge, or your peers are looking to you for more advice. Or you probably sense that your career is now ready to take that path and grow towards a role with more critical responsibilities. Another possibility is that you were offered a position and are evaluating if you should pursue the promotion. 

Not everyone is a born leader. Before you step up to the plate, evaluate your capabilities first. No one can say you are ready to become one except yourself. To help you with this task, browse through this list of exemplary leadership qualities and see if you check the criteria provided. You can also assess yourself based on the different types of leaders. If you've concluded that your workplace will benefit from your leadership style, then go ahead and prepare yourself for your new role.

What is the Difference Between a Leader and a Boss?

Many people aim to become a boss more than a leader. The former is a title that bears weight in society. When you’re a boss, people look up to you and treat you like a VIP, showering you with gifts and compliments. Sometimes, you’re even considered untouchable! Who wouldn’t want to be a boss? 

A leader, that’s who. A leader knows the distinction between both titles. A boss may sometimes be a leader, but not all leaders act like a boss. Are you starting to get confused? Don’t be. Remember that you want to be a leader – one who cares as much about going through the process as reaching a goal. For the boss, he has his eyes set on a target, which can be for personal gain. He will do anything to get to that, even if it involves breaking the rules and stepping on his “followers". 

You don’t want to micromanage your team. You don’t want to be authoritative. You don’t want to shout out orders. 

You want to establish systems to aid your team members and fellow leaders. You want to influence. You want to lead.   

What are Good Leadership Qualities?

Start contemplating your path to leadership by checking if you have any of the following traits. Don’t think you can jump and wait for the net to appear. You have to arm yourself because the role you’re getting into is no joke. People will start relying on you, and you won’t want to let them down.

Here are six clear signs that you’re ready to step up and embrace the challenge:

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. This means giving them criticism free of personal bias without expecting anything in return. 

Do you find yourself giving team members helpful advice on a regular basis? Do they see your advice as a jumping point to improve and work better? Do they appreciate it and find it helpful? If yes, pat yourself on the back and check this box.

2. You’re decisive and calm under pressure.

Bosses and colleagues often tell you that you handle pressure well and receive compliments regularly about your impressive ability to stay calm and decisive in stressful situations. You find solutions even with limited resources and in the most oppressive environments. You do not become anxious, tense, or agitated at every minor mishap.

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. Another test? If you’re at peace with your decision after going through this list, then you are meant to take on the role.

3. You’re well-liked by your current teammates. 

To be an effective leader, you need to inspire those around you. This means being well-liked by your superiors and peers. Are you among the most trusted individuals in your team? Do others feel light and positive when you’re around? Have you formed meaningful relationships with your colleagues? Have you strengthened bonds even outside the workplace?  

While you can’t please everyone, those around you must respect you enough to follow your lead even when they don’t share your perspective. You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you should be well-liked enough that no issues arise once you take on your new role. You’ll find it challenging – if not impossible –  to lead a team 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. You have to be on top of their goals and direct them toward that path without the need for micromanagement. 

Applying for a leadership position means assuming responsibility for every individual reporting to you and making sure they work and grow together as a team. Do you feel ready to pursue this task? 

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. Remember: Different folks, different strokes. There is no one sure way to manage each team member. 

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. You need to add value not only to their work but also to their careers as individuals. 

6. You know when to say “no”.

As a leader, you’ll need to prioritise your time and resources, besides making difficult choices to meet company objectives and deliver projects within the 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 crucial qualities of an effective leader is efficiency in managing workload and resources. There is no point in taking on more work if your team members are already pulling overtime shifts regularly. You need to prioritise your team’s well-being and look at the big picture. An overworked team will not be a productive or motivated team.

How to Improve Leadership Skills

There are many other qualities that a leader should possess. Your task is not only to uncover them but also to hone them to their fullest potential. Don’t put pressure on yourself if you still lack some of the qualities mentioned above. There is time to improve, and you can start by following these tips: 

• Learn, learn, learn. Learn ways to be an effective leader. But the learning shouldn’t end there. You have to learn every day, whether it be about your project, your company, your team, or yourself. 
• Open your ears. As much as you want to learn, you also want to listen, listen, listen. Don’t avoid feedback, comments, and suggestions from others, including those outside your team. Be open to perspectives new to you. 
• Do a SWOT analysis. On what, you might ask? Yourself. Know your strengths so you can manage your weaknesses. Take advantage of your opportunities for growth to overcome threats. 
• Keep your team active. Don’t treat progress as a personal pursuit. Get your entire team involved. You’d want to share every success – and failure – with them, too.
• Become a master innovator. Leaders are known to find the most creative solutions to mundane problems. Identify the triggers that can push your innovation to the fore.

(Read more: How to Be a Leader)

What are the Different Types of Leaders?

No one size fits all! Even in a group of leaders with similar qualities, there are still several types based on their systems and personalities. Here are some that might best describe you: 

1. The young one

Maybe you’ve only been in the company for a couple of years, but that shouldn’t mean you aren’t mature enough to be a leader. Age – in terms of biology or tenure – does not matter. Consider your youth as an advantage to bring something new to the table. 

2. The coach 

Sports coaches plot the game plan and make crucial team decisions to score points. You can apply the same tasks to a leader managing a team of skilled professionals with different personalities. Stay on top of the game! 

(Read more: 6 Valuable Lessons Companies Can Learn From the Golden State Warriors’ Winning Culture)

3. The observant 

Maybe you're the type of leader who likes stepping back for some time and making thorough observations before making a conclusion. Because they are more sensitive, many observant leaders recognise problems and solutions that others miss.  

4. The cheerleader

Are you a ball of energy that you can’t help but pass some to others? Can you boost morale without much effort? A cheerleader knows when to push his members to get to that goal.

There are many other types of leaders that you can be as you take on the job. But remember: there is no surefire way of learning to be a leader. Experience is still your best teacher. So, what are you waiting for? Take that first step to claiming that leadership position. 

Get started on the path to becoming a leader and #LetsGetToWork. Make sure your JobStreet profile is updated with your managerial experiences. For more ways on how you can improve your skills, visit the Career Resources page. And keep yourself updated with the latest news by checking the website or via the app, which you can download on Google Play or App Store.