A lotus grows out of mud and muck, reaching its delicate blossom high above the surface and into the light of day. Similarly, lotus leadership is the ability to rise above challenging circumstances and emerge victoriously.
Just as the lotus requires specific conditions to grow and bloom, team leaders also need certain qualities and characteristics to be successful. Here are nine essential qualities of a lotus leader:
9 Qualities Leader Must Have To Be Successful
1) Leaders need passion and vision
A team leader must have passion for what they are doing and should be able to articulate that vision to others. They need to see where they want their team to go to help others follow along. This means being honest about what’s working, as well as what isn’t. It also means being able to talk openly about problems before they fester and grow into something bigger.
2) Leaders need to be goal-oriented
For leaders, their focus should be on moving their company forward—and one of their main goals is to help team members meet or exceed business objectives. Setting and communicating goals throughout your team helps ensure everyone knows where they’re going. Leaders should also monitor progress and give feedback to assist with achieving those goals.
3) Leaders must be able to build trusting relationships
Leaders must trust their team members, but they must also gain that trust. According to Becoming a Kamala author Dr. Kamala Maddali, leaders must be able to build trusting relationships with their team members in order to effectively lead them.
4) Leaders must have strong communication skills
You can’t lead without communication. Even if you’re leading one other person, you need to communicate with that person and make sure they know what’s expected of them. You might be wondering how that could go wrong. A lotus leadership style uses a leader who doesn’t rush his workers but gives them exactly what they need to do their best work.
5) Leaders must set high standards
A leader sets high standards for themselves and their team. These standards act as guidelines for what to aim for, but leaders know that they can never expect others to do better than they do. A great leader will always put in 110% effort, and strive to be someone others want to follow.
6) Leaders need perseverance
You don’t always get what you want, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stick with it. If your team is against an idea, consider why they are hesitant and how to overcome those fears. You may not see results right away, but you should remain positive and confident in yourself and your work. In any case, remember that perseverance leads to progress—and progress wins over everything else.
7) Leaders know how to make decisions under pressure
Being an effective leader means knowing how to deal with pressure. The ability to make a quick decision is crucial to facilitating your team’s success, especially when you’re dealing with last-minute changes. Since every project comes with its own set of unexpected situations, it’s good practice for team leaders to learn how to operate under pressure.
8) Leaders create an environment where other can do their best work
The best team leaders create an environment where others can do their best work. They know how to handle different personalities and develop people. Great leaders take time to listen and encourage individuals on their teams. They have clear expectations but also offer advice when asked or needed. Teams can’t succeed if there is too much conflict, so it’s important for leaders to resolve issues quickly in order to move forward.
9) Leaders are positive role models
They motivate and inspire those around them. Instead of complaining about issues, they find solutions. They recognize that mistakes are bound to happen along the way, but they also understand that problems can be overcome with hard work and persistence. Leaders remain positive in stressful situations and avoid letting these obstacles defeat them; instead, they attack challenges head-on to meet their goals.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be an extrovert or natural-born leader to be a great team leader. Anyone can learn these qualities and become an inspiring, motivating leader. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at leading your team members in any situation. Start making yourself into a great team leader today!