…Continued from last quarter

9. Be open to new ideas: Good leaders have the emotional intelligence to understand and accept that change is inevitable. Instead of trying to maintain a status quo just for the sake of consistency, embrace change and innovation. Be open to new ideas and alternative ways of thinking. Everyone brings a unique perspective to the table, and that is something to take advantage of, not discourage. “When you’re open to hearing the thoughts of the talents around you is when you truly embrace every possibility and potential,” said Shah. “See things through till the end.

Understand that there will be errors along the way, but if something doesn’t work, try to figure out why and how before scrapping it.” When solving a problem, encourage team members to provide their insights. When employees feel like they can openly bring new ideas to the table, true innovation, engagement and success can prevail.

Key take away: Encourage your employees to bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. By doing so, you empower your team to become more innovative and invested in company growth.

10. Understand your own motivation: If a person in a leadership position views their role as “just a job,” it’s going to show. To be an effective leader, you need the right motivation. Is it the money or the prestige you care about, or do you sincerely want to inspire people to do their best? St. Marie advised leaders to really ask themselves why they want to lead. “I look at leadership as an honour and a vocation. If, in your heart, you feel leadership is your destiny and how you’ll make a difference in this world, then you are certainly starting from the right place.”

In addition to what motivates you, Ohlrich said it is important to know what decreases your energy. “Knowing your strengths and weaknesses help you diversify your team and get a well-rounded portfolio of skills. It helps you not to hire carbon copies of yourself but surround yourself with others who are not like you.” Your leadership style plays a role in how you interact with employees and should be evaluated as well. There are different leadership styles, and the best leaders are able to adapt each style to their situations and employees.