Joseph Folkman and Jack Zenger, from the Harvard Business Review and Forbes respectively, conducted a study on how leaders can improve their effectiveness. They summarized the leaders’ actions in nine main categories:
They improve their communication effectiveness. They hone their existing communication skills, particularly during presentations.
They share their knowledge and expertise more widely. This quickly impresses and develops their staffs.
They encourage others to do more and be better.
They develop a broader perspective. They see potential problems sooner and focus less on tactical issues when they have a strategic view.
They recognize they are role models, and they need to set a better example. The leaders who improved during the study were surprised to learn they were perceived as hypocritical.
They champion their team’s new ideas. Those same leaders were also surprised to learn their teams believed they resisted new ideas.
They learn to recognize when change is needed. They willingly support and embrace change and encourage others to do the same by becoming proactive about their job.
They improve their ability to inspire and motivate others. They are able to keep people focused on the highest priority goals, and they make a concerted effort with the concerns and needs of their teams.
They encourage cooperation rather than competition.
