After going through the basic framework for leadership in the previous blog post, this one introduces 5 best practices. They have been curated after studying some of the best leaders and high achievers out there. These are not something you can do once and forget all about, but rather practices to be followed regularly. Keep that in mind as you read onward.

If you want to shorten your learning curve in picking up a new skill, a good way is to model or emulate people who have achieved success in that field or aspect. Because they have already put in the work, they’ve encountered and found ways to overcome the pitfalls. Rather than reinvent the wheel, learn from their mindset and experiences. Fast-track your journey!

Practice #1 – Clear Vision

To put it quite simply, leaders operate from a different plane of reality. They have a long-term, compelling vision that the rest of us may not see, just yet. For instance, what should your life look like five years from today? A leader tends to have that clarity in vision, and others who are striving for the same journey tend to follow them.

Practice #2 – Involve Others

Leaders who are highly effective include people into their vision. It’s impossible to do it all by themselves. They recognise this and ask for help when needed. Let’s take an example. You may be really good at marketing, but not that great in finance. What do you do? Get a group of people with diverse skillsets on-board. Ensure they are completely aligned with your vision.

Practice #3 – Congruence

This is perhaps one of the most important and understated tenets that we tend to ignore. What you speak and what you practice should be aligned. There should be no disconnect between what you’re preaching and what you’re actually doing. We live in a world where we see a lot of people promote compelling ideas in public, but in private ignore their own advice. If you want be a respected leader in the long run, congruence is key.

Practice #4 – Empower People

When you get obsessed with your vision, often times you want to do everything by yourself, to get it perfectly right. But great leaders understand the importance of leverage. They trust their team, empower them to make their own decisions. It instils a sense of ownership in team members as they take up responsibilities. Doesn’t matter if things go wrong; it’s all part of the learning process. And with time, they will improve. Learn to trust, oversee and guide.

Practice #5 – Encourage and Uplift

It’s not enough to empower your people. You also need to encourage them. Recognise, support and appreciate your team for what they do. When people feel they are valued and contributing to the mission and vision of the company, they will be more than happy to give their 110%. There’s one more aspect to this that’s noteworthy. A great leader is one who gives credit to the team when things go as per plan, and is ready to take ownership when things do not.

While these are great ideas and essential to being a good leader, you might be wondering about the practical side – how do you go about implementing these leadership skills in your life from today. The next post – which is also the last in this series – leaves you with simple tips that even the most accomplished leaders might have started off with. Continue reading and learning about how to become a better leader.