Be a Leader not a Commander

​Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring.

For example, when you start a new project, you will probably have lots of enthusiasm for it, so it's often easy to win support for the project at the beginning. However, it can be difficult to find ways to keep your vision inspiring after the initial enthusiasm fades, especially if the team or organization needs to make significant changes in the way that they do things. Leaders recognize this, and they work hard throughout the project to connect their vision with people's individual needs, goals, and aspirations.

1. TAKE RESPONSIBILITYYou want to be a leader at work, learn to take responsibility for anything that has your fingerprint on it. That means, as long as you participate in the project, you have a hand at the failure of the project.

Learn to take responsibility for not just the good things, but even bad ones. Admit to your mistakes – it’s okay to be wrong. You cannot learn if you have not made any mistakes.

2. BELIEVE IN WIN-WINA rising tide lifts all boats – always think win-win. It exists. Just because the world thinks the business world is nasty, and that you need to be manipulative and maneuvering to win, you need not participate in it.

In fact, make it your contribution not to be nasty and bullying in your ways. You want to be a leader at work, believe in your hands as leader to change the world.The power of positive influence you have on the people around you and the power to inspire people to greater heights is in front of you.

3. LEAD BY EXAMPLELeaders need to show, not just tell. If you want your employees to be punctual, make sure you’re there on time -- or even early. If professionalism is a priority, make sure you’re dressed for success, and treat everyone you interact with (both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set the tone and your employees will follow it.

4. KNOW YOUR LIMITSEven the kindest, most caring leader has limits. Set your boundaries and stick to them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can save everyone in the office a lot of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear means there’s no confusion.

5. BE OPENBe open to criticism, otherwise you are just living off yourself. What does it mean? When you are open to feedback, you are being fed ideas from others that are free. Often, these ideas come from people smarter than you. They will give you tips on how to improve and how to be better.

That’s what a leader needs – constant feedback. You need feedback to be a leader at work, otherwise you are blinded among your ego walls.

6. ACCEPT CRITICISMThat’s how you open up. Show all you got from inside you. Give all you have... ideas, thoughts, plans. Feel the vulnerability of criticism by your professional circle and learn to like it. When you export all your ideas, sooner or later, you will need new ones. Where do new ideas come from? From critics who want to tear you down, and from people you least expect.

More comes back to you. You have more to input. It enriches you. That’s how you become a leader at work.

Remember ! Giving orders is the easy part. Making others to love serving you is the hard part ... but if you succeed, the result will be glorious.

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