Are you looking to become a leader in your workplace? According to research, now is the best time to develop your leadership skills. Deloitte’s 2014 Millennial Survey found that Millennials will comprise 75% of the global workforce by 2025. That means that within the next few years, Baby Boomers will be handing off leadership responsibilities to the next generations.
If your goals are to get into a management-level position, now is the time to hone your leadership skills in business and present yourself as a valuable asset to the company that you work at. If you want to be recognized for your potential, you must possess the right leadership skills.
Here are six to-do tasks to help you on how to become a leader at work:
1. Take on More Responsibility
One of the best ways to show you are a leader and that you can handle the work of a manager is to take on more responsibility. Ask your current manager if there are any projects they need help with or that they would like to hand off to you. Let them know that you would like to learn more about the company and take on new tasks. Be ready to suggest ideas on how to improve business processes and make the company more profitable.
This will show your manager that you’re willing to learn and help out wherever you can. This is just one of the qualities employers look for in a manager, so this will definitely put you on the right track on how to become a leader at work.
2. Deliver Superior Performance
Set yourself apart from your colleagues by delivering superior performance. There’s no way your manager can overlook you for a leadership role if you deliver nothing but the best work. This will show your manager that you have high potential and that you’re ready for more responsibility.
When they have a project that needs careful dedication and performance, they will come to you. After you’ve created a name for yourself as being reliable and good at what you do, it will be easier for you to become a leader at work and take on a management position.
3. Think Strategically
Leaders think strategically. This involves questioning how things could be done better and how you can add more value to your company. Your manager will appreciate that you’re taking the initiative to improve processes and keep customers happy.
When you start thinking and acting like a manager, your boss will start to recognize you as a leader, and it will make the most sense for you to become a leader at work once the opportunity arises.
4. Be Open to Receiving Feedback
The only way you can get better at your job is to take feedback and use it to improve your job performance. No boss likes when an employee gets defensive, so always take feedback in stride and try not to get your back up.
The more aware you are of your performance and what you can do to improve it, the better you will become at your job. Your manager got into a management position for a reason, so it’s always in your best interest to apply their advice to your work. A true leader will take any feedback they receive and apply it to what they’re doing so they can do a better job.
5. Give it Your All
If you want to be a leader at work, you need to give your job your all. This doesn’t mean just applying yourself to your everyday tasks – you also need to express your ideas, thoughts, and plans. If you have an idea for how something can be done more efficiently, voice your option.
Your manager will notice that you’re taking the initiative to go above and beyond your everyday job. As a leader, you shouldn’t be afraid to put yourself out there. If your manager doesn’t like your idea, they won’t use it, but they’ll remember that you took the initiative and tried to help out.
6. Be Self-Aware
If you’re looking to get into a management position in the near future, you should be aware of how others perceive you. Leaders understand their strengths and know where they can make an impact. You just have to be brave enough to make that impact. If you’re having trouble understanding how others perceive you, try asking a trusted mentor or colleague to describe how they think you’re perceived by others. Listen carefully to the positive traits that are mentioned and then seek out opportunities to apply those strengths.
If you’re looking to become a leader at work, applying these six tips will get you on the right track. Your manager will have a hard time overlooking you when you use these tips to position yourself as a leader. Don’t be afraid to be bold and express your opinions. Leaders take the initiative to do all that they can for the company that they work for. We wish you the best of luck!
