Master These 7 People Skills to Become a GREAT Leader

Summary

Effective leadership requires both technical and people skills. While technical expertise can help you get promoted, it’s people management skills that ensure long-term success. This video outlines seven key skills for leaders: reflective listening, assertiveness, managing varying performance levels, encouraging idea sharing, fueling strengths for motivation, navigating rivalry within teams, and building inner confidence. These skills help leaders communicate effectively, support their teams, and overcome challenges. By mastering these areas, leaders can enhance team performance, foster a positive environment, and continue to grow in their roles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Technical skills are important for job-specific tasks, but people skills are essential for managing and leading teams effectively.
• 😀 Leaders who excel in technical skills but lack people skills may struggle when navigating interpersonal challenges within their team.
• 😀 Reflective listening, using mirroring and paraphrasing, ensures clear communication and understanding between team members.
• 😀 Assertive communication helps set clear boundaries, give direct feedback, and handle pushback effectively while maintaining respect.
• 😀 Managing varying performance levels requires tailored attention to underperformers and high performers to maximize team productivity.
• 😀 Encouraging team members to share ideas fosters innovation, taps into the team's collective intelligence, and creates a psychologically safe environment.
• 😀 Assigning tasks based on individual strengths increases motivation and performance as people thrive when working in areas they excel at.
• 😀 Rivalry within teams should not be ignored; addressing issues early through one-on-one conversations helps resolve conflicts before they escalate.
• 😀 Inner confidence is vital for leaders to overcome challenges and stay committed, even when facing self-doubt or obstacles.
• 😀 Leadership involves continuous growth, including developing new skills and learning from experiences to face challenges with greater confidence.

Q & A

What are the two essential skill categories that every manager or leader must develop?

Managers and leaders must develop both technical skills, which are job-focused and acquired through education, training, or experience, and people skills, which are necessary to manage and motivate their team effectively.

Why do managers promoted based on technical skills often face challenges in leadership?

While technical skills may be sufficient for job tasks, people skills, which are necessary for managing and leading teams, may be underdeveloped. This creates a skills gap, especially when managers have to handle interpersonal dynamics and leadership responsibilities.

What is reflective listening, and why is it important for managers?

Reflective listening involves mirroring or paraphrasing what someone has said to ensure understanding and show empathy. It helps managers improve communication, especially during conflict resolution or team meetings.

What is the difference between mirroring and paraphrasing in reflective listening?

Mirroring involves copying or matching a person's communication, such as their body language or key phrases. Paraphrasing is repeating what was said but in your own words to confirm understanding.

What does assertive communication involve, and why is it essential for managers?

Assertive communication means expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and needs directly and respectfully. It is essential for giving clear direction, setting boundaries, and managing conflicts without aggression or passivity.

How can managers manage varying skill levels within a team?

Managers need to assess the skill levels of each team member and tailor their approach accordingly. They should offer more support to underperformers and give high performers the autonomy they need without micromanaging.

Why is it important for managers to encourage their team to share ideas?

Encouraging idea-sharing allows managers to tap into the diverse knowledge and experiences of their team. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and helps the team to come up with better solutions collectively.

What role does psychological safety play in encouraging idea sharing within a team?

Psychological safety ensures that team members feel comfortable and confident in sharing their ideas without fear of rejection or ridicule. It helps create an open, collaborative environment where all ideas are considered.

How can managers fuel motivation by leveraging their team’s strengths?

Managers can fuel motivation by assigning tasks that align with individuals' strengths, as people tend to perform better and remain motivated when they are working on tasks they are both skilled at and enjoy.

What is the significance of managing rivalry within a team?

Rivalry can lead to toxic competition, poor collaboration, and resentment among team members. Effective management of rivalry ensures that conflicts are addressed before they escalate, maintaining a healthy, productive team environment.

What is inner confidence, and why is it crucial for a leader’s success?

Inner confidence is the self-assurance to face challenges and obstacles with a positive mindset. It is crucial for leaders as it helps them persevere through difficult situations and overcome challenges, reinforcing their role as effective leaders.

How should a leader handle situations where they experience a lack of self-confidence?

Leaders should view a lack of self-confidence as a learning opportunity, identify the skills or knowledge they need to develop, and work on improving them to regain confidence and face challenges more effectively.