You know that feeling when you’re trying to lead a project and it feels like you’re spinning a hundred plates at once? Leadership is a bit of an art – it’s about getting the right balance and knowing which plates need a bit more attention. So, time to up your game and read more on the five habits of highly effective leaders!
Listen more than you speak
Everyones been in those meetings where the person in charge does all the talking, and you leave thinking, “Was I even needed here?” Great leaders know the power of listening and giving everyone a chance to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.
Think about that team member who’s usually quiet but always gets their tasks done. For all you know they might have some fantastic ideas for improving workflows, so create a space for him/her to speak up, because listening more can help uncover those hidden gems within your team.
Consider implementing a “silent start” to your meetings where, for the first five minutes, everyone writes down their thoughts on the topic at hand – this is a technique inspired by Jeff Bezos.
Also, how about creating mentorship opportunities within your team, pairing quieter members with more vocal ones to encourage the exchange of ideas. As Ernest Hemingway said, “When people talk, listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen.” When you practice active listening you can uncover insights that might have been missed.
Show vulnerability
Now, this doesn’t mean you need to wear your heart on your sleeve all the time, but showing a bit of vulnerability can go a long way. Admitting when you don’t have all the answers or when you’ve made a mistake can build trust within your team.
Imagine you’ve realised you’ve miscalculated a project timeline, but instead of covering it up, you own up to it and involve your team in finding a solution. You might feel uncomfortable doing this, but it shows that you believe that mistakes are ok – as long as you learn from them – and you believe in the power of collaboration in solving such problems. If colleagues feel comfortable to express what’s really going on then you’ll know any risks and opportunities much sooner.
Incorporate regular reflection sessions into your workflow where the team can discuss not only successes but also challenges and failures openly. Professor Brene Brown aptly put it, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” By normalising vulnerability, you create a culture of honesty and growth.
Delegate effectively
Trying to do everything yourself will eventually lead to burnout. Effective leaders know how to delegate, because by recognising the strengths of your team you can trust them with tasks that play to those strengths.
Let’s say you’ve got a team member who’s fantastic with data analysis – draw on their strengths by encouraging them take the lead on data-related tasks. This will give you more time to focus on other tasks, while they have an opportunity to shine – which is great for colleague morale.
Develop a talent matrix to visualise and track the skills and strengths of your team members. As Steve Jobs said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” Empowering your team through strategic delegation leads to a more dynamic and capable workforce.
Keep learning
The best leaders never stop learning. Whether it’s a new Agile methodology, a management book, or feedback from your team, there’s always something to learn.
This could be reading an article, attending a webinar, or even having a chat with a team member who has different expertise – it keeps your skills sharp and shows your team that learning is a priority. Think about it – if you’re leading a team that’s struggling with a certain Agile practice, taking the time to learn more about that practice can make a huge difference. What an inspiring leader you would be to show you’re open minded to continuous learning.
You could set up a “learning hour” each week where the team comes together to explore new ideas, tools, or methods that are relevant to what you are working on. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “ Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.” By prioritising continuous learning, you inspire your team to stay curious and innovative.
Celebrate the small wins
In the rush to meet big deadlines, it’s easy to overlook the smaller victories, but celebrating these small wins can boost team morale and keep everyone motivated. For instance, if your team just completed a particularly challenging sprint, take a moment to acknowledge their hard work. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture – sometimes a simple “Great job, everyone!” can make a big difference. So make it a habit to recognise achievements, no matter how small.
You could implement a peer recognition system where team members can nominate each other for small but significant contributions. Regularly schedule informal gatherings, like team lunches or coffee breaks, to celebrate milestones in a relaxed setting. As William James, philosopher and psychologist, noted, “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” By consistently recognising small wins, you maintain high levels of motivation and appreciation within your team.
Bringing it all together
Leading a team is never about having all the answers or being in control all the time – it’s about creating an environment where your team feels valued and empowered, which will ultimately bring out the best in them.
Leadership is a journey, not a destination, and as you know – each day brings its own set of challenges and opportunities from which to grow. But, by embracing the ups and downs and learning from your experiences you can keep moving forward.
Want to chat?
Jay is the Founder & CEO of Fractal Systems Consulting, an agile consultancy run by a group of Professional Scrum Trainers, change agents and agile delivery coaches who have deep experience and know-how in creating behavioural change.
If you’re interested in learning in a fun, application-rich environment that focuses on real-world applied approaches, register for one of our training courses.
