top of page

4 Ways You Can Demonstrate Leadership On The Job

Updated: Sep 6, 2022



How good a leader are you and why do you think so? Is it because you just received a raise, or because your boss or your co-workers tell you what a great leader you are? Maybe a pat on the back from the boss for a specific job well done? Your significant other may tell you often how you are demonstrating “leadership” in your personal or professional life, but what does that mean, exactly? We all want to believe that we are good leaders, but a good leader is difficult, if not impossible, to define.

Everyone in the business world believes they can successfully define leadership, but not everyone can agree on what that definition should be. There are literally dozens of measurement tools out there, all meant to help us classify and define the term “leadership.” Yet leadership by its very nature is complex and can’t be defined in a few words. It’s a concept that has multiple dimensions required…simply to define it.

Peter Northouse, a highly rated Professor of Communication at Western Michigan University, has written—literally-- thousands of words about the idea of leadership, and his belief is that the word “leadership” falls into the same category as words like “love,” “peace,” and “democracy.” We know what our own definitions mean for these words, but they mean something entirely different to others.

Let’s think about it. You start with the premise that leadership is a process. It’s not just about how someone performs in their job, but also how they react to different situations and different people. Something is offered, and each takes something away – leadership is a transactional event.

Gaining influence with others is an important part of leadership as well. Influence in this case defines how a leader guides his or her followers. And a leader must allow guidance by his or her followers, as well, continuing the train of thought of leadership being a “transactional event.”

Don’t simply equate management with leadership, however. Many have difficulty in accepting that managers don’t always make good leaders – and vice-versa. If the manager is capable of making needed decisions and acting as a good leader, then they will be considered successful. Managers are often more concerned with authority than with influence management, which is a prime concern of leaders. Leaders can work behind the scenes, because they know that their influence, not necessarily their level of authority, is strong encouragement for employees to follow them.

So what are the great qualities of leadership? You could write several volumes answering that question, but here are some places to start.

  • A great leader will examine where they lack knowledge or experience and will set out to learn what they need to know, instead of waiting for others to do their research for them.

  • Successful leaders come into a job knowing they don’t know everything, and will surround themselves with people smarter than themselves in order to learn from them.

  • Good leaders will get out of their comfort zone and will empathize with the employees.

  • Leaders demonstrate confidence, knowing that they don’t have to worry about another employee getting “the upper hand” on them, and they also demonstrate self-control – knowing that it’s about working smarter, not harder.

A leader who works a 20-hour day makes him or herself worthless to the very employees they hope to inspire…because of burnout. They don’t multitask, but commit themselves to accomplishing one task all the way to the end and then moving on to the next issue.


The next time you decide to “hang the leadership mantle” on someone, consider the challenges faced and the responses which that person offers to those challenges; emulate those qualities you admire as beneficial. And remember to discard any characteristics that don’t allow your own personal growth and development.


 
 
 

Comments


This material is for general information and education purposes only.  Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources.  It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions.  It should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of nay investor.

TD Ameritrade logo
Folio Investing Logo
Trust Company of America Logo
Charles Schwab Logo
Fidelity Investmets Logo

Links to third-party web sites are provided as a convenience.  Provident Wealth Advisors, LLC does not endorse nor support the content of third-party sites. By clicking on a third-party link, you will leave this website where privacy and security policies my differ from those practiced by Provident Wealth Advisors, LLC.

Contacts:

281.466.4843
281.466.4817 FAX

Info@providentwealthllc.com

Provident Wealth Advisors

25511 Budde Road

Suite 1002  The Caroline Building

The Woodlands, TX 77380

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • LinkedIn Social Icon
  • YouTube Social  Icon
Our Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday          8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Friday           Meetings by Appointment Only

Copyright 2018 Provident Wealth Advisors, LLC

All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Provident Wealth Advisors, and our editorial staff. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.
 

Fee based financial planning and investment advisory services are offered by Provident Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Texas and the State of Louisiana. Insurance products and services are offered through Goodwin Financial Group . Provident Wealth Advisors, and Goodwin Financial Group are affiliated companies.
 

The presence of this web site shall in no way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell or offer to sell investment advisory services to any residents of any State other than the State of Texas or where otherwise legally permitted. This site is published for residents of the United Sates only.  Representatives may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered.  Provident Wealth Advisors, LLC does not solicit advisory clients in the state of Florida. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed until appropriate registration is obtained or exemption from registration is determined.  Not all services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every advisor listed.  For additional information, please contact us at 281.466.4843.

Provident Wealth Advisors, LLC does not offer legal or tax advice.  Consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.

Securities Offered through Great Point Capital, LLC. Member FINRA/IEX/SIPC

Information about securities-registered professionals may be found at FINRA BROKERCHECK.

 

ADV - 2A                                                                      Provident1031.com is a Division of Provident Wealth Advisors, LLC.                                                                    Privacy Policy

bottom of page