Perceptive leaders have six traits or talents that can make all the difference when it comes to creating a workplace where things get done.
- Self-awareness: Leadership starts and ends with inner strength, which requires an intimate knowledge of one’s strengths, development areas, values and priorities, motivations, limitations, interests and goals.
- Active listening: To communicate and influence effectively, one has to be an active listener first; listen to understand, not respond.
- Empathy: In addition to hearing others’ perspectives, it is necessary to step into their shoes to understand it from their viewpoint.
- Optimism: Leaders are role models and set the tone for preferred behaviors, norms and standards for the team.
- Strategic thinking: Effective leadership entails proactive strategic thinking that is aligned with business goals and objectives.
- Focus/discipline: Understanding when and how to focus energies on the right things at the right time and to maximize individual and team productivity, performance and effectiveness is essential.
A perceptive leader shows proactive and sensitive insight to relationships and situations; developing perceptive leaders can be an asset for any organization.
Excerpted from “Are You a Perceptive Leader?” by Rita Balian Allen, president of Rita B. Allen Associates. Read Full Article
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