Every organization that desires success have one thing to do which is establishing good leadership structures. A leader will guide and direct the employees to achieve organization goals and visions.
What should matter to every leader is to make a lasting impact on team members, they should be able to inspire and motivate them, hence creating a positive work environment and driving productivity.
Let’s discuss the various ways a leader can make an impact on the team members and why impact in leadership is important.
What Does It Mean to Make an Impact as a Leader?
Making an impact in leadership refers to the influence a leader has on the members of their team and the organization. It has to do with how the actions and choices of a leader influence the conduct, attitudes, and results of the team they are responsible for.
When a leader makes an impact on the team members, it typically results in improved morale among the team members, increased productivity levels, and a more upbeat atmosphere at work.
Qualities of Leaders Who Make an Impact on Their Team
How would you characterize a beneficial influence? When you focus on your good qualities, you positively influence those around you and yourself. Leaders who make an impact have the following qualities:
- They are dedicated to progress: A leader’s impactful leadership is essential to accomplishing results by a team. To make an impact on their team members, leaders need strong emotional and positive influence, which is a hallmark of good leaders. It motivates the team to improve on their shortcomings as a direct result of their interactions with the leader.
- They are charismatic: As a leader, one paramount quality you should possess is charisma. It is what makes you appealing on an emotional and persuasive level. A charismatic leader inspires disengaged workers to believe in the organization’s success or how the business should be run. Also, a charismatic leader inspires confidence and admiration from those around them.
- They mentor the team members: An impactful leader mentors them, offering them several chances to develop professionally and personally. That is to say, a leader in a position of authority should be trusted to offer the kind of guidance and support that would typically come from a mentor. When morale in the workplace is good, businesses typically see an increase in productivity. Also, employees who feel appreciated and motivated are likelier to remain with the company for long.
- They are honest: Trust is the foundation for a good relationship. When people lose faith in their leader, they stop following their instructions. A trustworthy leader will inspire trust and respect among their followers. Loss of credibility among prominent members of our society is commonplace. As a result, it damages their reputation and, in some cases, their standing.
- They are active listeners: A leader can only make an impact when he listens and understands his team members. They need to be attentive to issues and be open to personal development. Hence, employees would feel more at ease knowing they have a leader they could relate to on a personal level. This kind of relationship between a leader and an employee is very beneficial as the teams are inspired; hence, they create something new and take on more responsibility.
How Do Leaders Make an Impact?
As a leader, there are several ways you can make an impact; they include the following:
#1. By Creating a Conducive Environment for Team Members
Leaders can help their teams make progress every day by making sure they have the tools they need to make steady progress and keep going. They can set clear goals, give people freedom, and help people feel like they own the results.
#2. By Modeling Desired Behaviours
How a leader acts and treats team members can affect their productivity. Hence, they can make an impact by being good examples and uplifting team members . The mood and productivity of a team can be greatly improved if there is consistency in the behaviour of the leader.
#3. By Influencing people
Transformational leadership, which is based on understanding, encouragement, and support, is one way for leaders to have an impact on their teams. This inspires and pushes others, making the workplace a better place to be.
#4. By Promoting Fairness and Impartiality
Leaders can make an impact by creating an environment whereby everyone gets the same chances based on how good they are and what skills they have. Also, they can show how much they care about the success of the business by how they handle conflicts.
#5. Personal Development
High-impact leaders are continually investing in personal development. That is because they know that they can only grow other leaders or groups to a high level based how good their own leadership skills are.
#6. Gain Credibility
Credibility is the cornerstone of impactful leadership. You build trust when you do things that inspire confidence in your abilities, your intentions among your team members, and enthusiasm for working with you. Giving trust to employees before it is earned is an effective strategy. That way, team members will feel more connected to you if you can earn their trust, and they may work harder for you.
#7. Prove Your Capability
If you can prove to your staff that you are an expert in the field, they will be more likely to follow your example. Stay at the forefront of your field and share what you’ve learned to help your team members reach their full potential. Also, you may participate in relevant workshops and seminars and then brief your team on the most critical takeaways later on.
#8. Help Those Around You Find Their Voice
An impactful leader tells their team what they want to accomplish and then steps back to let them come up with ideas, work together, and take the lead. This makes people feel like they own the project together, which gives them a sense of success and belonging. They think their ideas are important and help the team do well.
#9. Make Room for Incremental Progress
Set and reach small, realistic goals for your team to help them grow. When people see their potential realized through success, they react happily and thank the leader who made it possible. Team victories are very enjoyable because everyone feels like they’ve made a difference.
#10. Know Your Team Members
It is important that you take the time to get to know the people who work for you. Make an effort to find out what they like to do in their spare time and get to know them as individuals. It could make it simpler for them to comprehend and accept your vision as a leader, which would be beneficial.
#11. Prioritize the Needs of Others
A leader’s primary role is to facilitate the development of their subordinates. Putting the needs of your employees ahead of your own is an example of “servant leadership,” which is another term for focusing on the growth component of leading. Servant leadership is crucial in the corporate world because it fosters an atmosphere where all employees are treated with dignity and respect regardless of their position.
#12. Put Others First by Thinking Large.
Leaders that make a difference expect a lot from their staff. They identify potential in a person that they might overlook and help that potential flourish. As a leader, one of your aims should be to facilitate the development of those in your charge.
#13. Strike a Middle Ground Between Liberty and Authority
Effective managers can connect with and motivate their staff. Gain more credibility as a leader by consistently showing faith in your team’s development. Tell them you have faith in their abilities to produce high-quality work on schedule and track down whatever materials they require. The freedom to make decisions independently is a powerful motivator and inspiration for any team.
#14. Set Expectations
Impactful leaders are clear about what they want from their team members. Hence, they set clear goals for the project right from the start and share it with their team. When leaders tell their people what they expect, there is more work done and fewer misunderstandings. To keep your employees interested, you need to tell them about your goals for success all the time.
Why Is Impact Important in Leadership?
Leadership plays a crucial role in an organization’s success by fostering a positive work environment, improving productivity, resolving conflicts, delegating tasks, creating positive work environments, managing resources, empowering and improving team members, building trust, overcoming challenges, and maintaining accountability. A leader with impact can motivate, inspire, guide, and teach others to improve, creating a vision for others to follow and setting an example for positive changes. They also play a vital role in conflict resolution, task delegation, resource management, professional development, and building trust.
Leaders must resolve conflicts quickly and effectively, ensuring harmony within the team. They must listen to concerns and address them quickly, preventing future problems. They must also manage resources effectively, providing support, guidance, and necessary materials. Leaders should spend time with each team member to understand how they can improve, creating an effective work environment where people feel empowered and more likely to grow as individuals and perform better as team members.
