How to Be a Good Leader

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Written by

Fearless Soul

3 years ago (Last updated: 2 years ago)

In community: Number One Tip(99ff)

Topics: Leadership, Management, LifeLessons, Advice, Open For All, ...

The word “leadership” has been a very commonly used phrase. Many of the experts give tips on “how to become a leader.” Their tips discuss the essential qualities a person must possess or acquire to become a “leader.”

Some of the experts even go on to point out the “mistakes of the leaders.” Some of the experts declare that “leaders are born not made” or the reverse.

And we, the readers, appreciate the experts by clicking the “like/clap” or “follow” button, or we type some text comments to contribute to the world of blogging with our “expert” views.

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When I worked on research projects with a group of students or junior colleagues, I often noticed that more success comes when I put in some hands-on work myself along with my students and junior colleagues.

Why is this so?

In my humble opinion, leadership qualities alone can’t help a person complete a critical project successfully. Hands-on expertise is most essential for work to be done properly.

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Continue working with your own hands

After college, when we start working in our first job, we get enough opportunities to sharpen our skills and expertise with all the hands-on works.

Gradually, we get promotions and get more responsibilities in managing the work compared to real hands-on works. Sooner or later, there are chances that we may lose grip on our hands-on expertise.

Great peoples often put their own hands on the actual work and the core workers. It helps to keep track of the fundamental problems of the projects, but it helps to maintain a friendly relationship with the subordinates. On the way, the critical issues of the projects get easily solved.

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Helping the juniors is actually “leading from the front”

Managing a mission-critical project is all about technology management and man-management. If we don’t have the hands-on expertise in the relevant technology, we can’t do any justice for the project.

Unless we know how to tackle the technical work, how can we help and guide the subordinates in work? The best way to keep ourselves well accustomed to the current technology is to give regular hands-on practice with the grassroots workers.

The principles of management of technology acquired from day-to-day practice complement the academic knowledge learned at the business school. If we have enough practice on the technological processes and the devices, we can guide the project towards success. In other words, it is often called “leading from the front.”

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Leaders should come down from the leadership chair and extend some hands-on participation

Every leader should consider extending hands-on participation in actual work. This is not preaching; this is an absolute necessity.

I am concerned about the need for time. Unless we become more compassionate about our planet earth, future generations will suffer because the decaying has already started. I think this is the most critical issue we all should care about.

We always talk about leadership roles. Our roles can’t just be limited to leading the rest of the others to work. We need to give our own hands in whatever way it is possible.

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The world needs hands-on contribution from everybody

To contribute towards this, no special leading skills are a must. However, you don’t need to give up discussing the leadership issues in forums and columns. You may continue showering your leadership mantras. You may carry on writing leadership columns.

Get endorsements and recommendations on your leadership skills. Attend leadership coaching camps and conferences. But, please .. please .. please don’t forget to work. Extend your own hands in the core areas of your work. Share the actual work with your employees.

Also, don’t lose the golden opportunity of revitalizing your core strength areas of expertise. Those could be construction, mechanical engineering, electronics, software, medicine, chemical engineering, architecture, archeology, applied psychology, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, geology, liberal arts, linguistics, music, painting, etc.

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The best way to lead is to work

The best way you can contribute your expertise is to work. Be it a big or small project, a large or a small team, a big or a small organization, the best way to lead is to extend some hands-on work with your team members.

This is the best way to understand the real problems of the project as well as the team. The subordinates to whom you act as a leader will also understand better what work you need from them. Make them feel that you work along with the team with actual hands-on participation.

It will also help to grow a fellow feeling among the team members. It also develops trust and enthusiasm. This trust and enthusiasm will inspire them to work more. You will also know about the areas of weakness and strength of your team members and the organization.

This is somewhat analogous to a playing captain of a sporting team. It may be called “hands-on leadership,” with direct participation in the actual hands-on work. That is very important to see an organization succeed.

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Concluding remarks but not the final words

Leadership doesn’t mean only to direct, advise, guide, supervise. Leadership must include a good amount of participation in the hands-on work of the projects. The best way to lead is to work with the team.

My Number One Tip on leadership is
— “Work First, Lead Last.”

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What is your opinion?

You may disagree. Then, do you have any other opinions? It is pretty healthy to have different ideas. Discussing different opinions is a good trait of humans. I would love to have your views and critical comments.

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