How to Be a Positive Leader

Provide a strong foundation by displaying positive leadership skills.

An undeniable component of an effective team is strong and positive leadership. Without an effective leader, a team will suffer from disorganization, lack of unity and undefined vision. Provide your team with an enthusiastic, passionate, goal-driven and hard-working environment by functioning as a positive leader.

Instructions

1. Understand who you are. To successfully head a team, you need to have a deep knowledge of yourself and what you can do. Know yourself inside and out -- your strengths, your weaknesses, your standpoints on ethical and moral situations.

2. Communicate frequently and freely. Communication is a crucial element to leadership and its component parts of solving problems, pooling ideas and guiding other teammates through complex situations. Communication entails making sure that everyone on the team is fully aware of communal goals as well as providing individuals with constructive criticism to encourage them to reach their highest potential.

3. Display enthusiasm. It is your job to provide the team with a positive environment that fuels passion and excitement for the tasks at hand. If a team feels no enthusiasm or motivation, the results will likely reflect that. A positive leader needs to be able to make his teammates feel a commitment for the work above all else.

4. Give all of your teammates equal respect. Being on a team is about equality. Equality means dealing with everyone in a just and even manner, never picking favorites.

5. Show your teammates that you care. In leading a team positively, a leader must acknowledge and show gratitude for each individual's efforts. Let your teammates know they are invaluable to the overall goal of the team. Compliment a teammate for something well done, or for sure signs of improvement. He will appreciate the fact that you pay attention to his actions and to the things that he contributes to the team.

6. Possess emotional strength. A leader needs to be able to handle stress and difficulties in a cool, calm and logical manner. If you want to lead a team, do no sweat the little things: always focus on the big picture and how exactly to get there.

7. View setbacks as learning opportunities instead of losses. Always view hard situations in the best possible light. If something goes wrong, ask yourself what the team can gain from the experience -- and do not forget it.

Tips & Warnings

• Find and channel your teammates' potential. If someone on your team is not particularly good at one task, spend the time you need to figure out what he does well. Concentrate on using your teammates' strengths instead of worrying about their shortcomings.

References

• All Business; Ten Ways to Be a More Positive Leader; Victor M. Parachin; November 2006
• Harvard Business School: What Makes a Good Leader
• Girl Scouts; Five Qualities Good Leaders Express; Lisa Dewey
• CNN Living; 23 Traits of Good Leaders; Rachel Farrell; August 2011
• Huffington Post; 10 Qualities of a Prime Leader; Jim Taylor; March 2011