Adam Kirk Smith

Being a leader is a commitment to being empathetic, motivating, encouraging and communicative at all times, as well as allowing those you’re leading to hold you to higher standards. While it is a humbling responsibility, it can be highly demanding to be on top of your temperament at all times. Whether at a workplace, school, club or other organization, most people vibe off the attitude a leader is exerting, which can either create a positive and exciting work environment, or a hostile and unpleasant one. This is why the best leaders are able to separate their personal lives from their leadership responsibilities, as well as treat employees in a way that suits their personality types.

Basic Leadership Skills

Basic leadership skills may seem like generic traits that most people have, but exceptional leaders are able to hone in on those skills as if they were an art — and in some ways they are. Types of leaders vary; some may be cold and standoffish while others are warm and inviting, but they all accomplish the same feat: they draw the best ideas and work ethic out of those around them by filling them with a mutual sense of purpose and respect.

There are several differences between leadership and management, including the amount of communication that is expected out of either party. According to an article by Rutgers University, “(Leaders) must be willing to admit their mistakes. They need to be able to ask for help or for more effort. And they must be willing to say the hard things in a helpful and controlled way in order to get the correct message across.” Communication skills and emotional intelligence play large roles in succeeding at this.

Emotional intelligence may seem like an abstract concept, but it is crucial in a leader’s ability to see employees’ strengths and weakness and bring out the best in them. This is accomplished through a deep understanding of how valuable and dynamic people are as individuals and being able to interpret their point of views. When leaders demonstrate that they understand their supporters no matter how different their personalities are, it improves their ability to inspire creativity among others.

Handling Various Personality Types

Understanding personality types, especially in the workplace, can be a necessary skill for leaders and managers. People can behave very differently in different scenarios, depending on their surroundings and mood, and recognizing this can help leaders discern how to handle various situations. Erring on the side of caution by always treating individuals with sensitivity and respect can help cultivate a comfortable environment that allows people to flourish.

Recognizing whether people are introverts or extroverts is a good first step at understanding how to interact with them. This can be done through careful observation, although if in a workplace situation, this may be more difficult to distinguish. Getting to know people takes interaction, communication and time, which means leaders must be able to do enough of that to get a feel for who they are working with.

Being an effective leader is about understanding people and understanding business tactics that will work among the individuals you’re working with. Good leadership is having multiple options that can allow a plan to thrive because plans don’t always go the way they were intended. Working well under pressure, understanding the people in your corner, and knowing who can do what and how it can be done is the kind of knowledge that creates an effective leader.

Leadership skills may seem basic, but effective leaders are not always easy to find. People are often difficult to understand and being an effective leader means learning to understand different personality types and the unique traits and ideas that they bring to the table. An effective leader is invaluable and a gateway to success in any setting.