How do we master leadership skills? Are leadership skills innate or developed? Are people born with leadership skills, acquire them at a young age or develop them as they get older? Are leadership skills different in different people? Do they vary depending on the culture or geographical location? Which leaders come to mind as you read this article?

While there are differences in culture and power dynamics in organisations, she finds that leadership traits of great leaders remain very similar. She has worked with some great leaders, some good leaders and some poor leaders. The focus of this article is on mastering leadership skills. Below, Rabia Mirza captures what she believes are the key traits of great leaders.

Seven fundamentals

There are seven fundamentals to mastering leadership skills. They are ranked in level of priority as seen by Mirza; however, they may be ranked differently.  

  1. Self-awareness is understanding how we perceive ourselves, others and the world around us. It is the story that we create about ourselves, others and the surrounding environment. Self-awareness begins with exploring, embracing and enjoying our strengths as well as our weaknesses. It is about recognising whether we underestimate or overestimate ourselves. It is about how we see the people and world around us and how we immerse ourselves in it. How self-aware are you? What do you like about yourself? Is there anything you would like to change about yourself? How well (if at all) do you accept your flaws? Do you see others as your allies or foes? Do others see you as their ally or foe?
  2. Mindset is everything! It was hard to decide whether this should be ranked as No 1, but Mirza decided to rank it as No 2. Our mindset belongs to us. Our mindset is unconsciously created at a very young age and for most people, remains very similar throughout life, unless some form of hardship has been experienced which can compel a need to shift the mindset. It shapes our thoughts, our behaviours, our actions, our words, our patterns and these forms habits in our lives. How do you describe yourself? How is your mindset shaping your life? Is your mindset changing or sceptical as you read this article?
  3. Values are the deep-rooted core principles and beliefs that we live by, whether they are conscious, subconscious or unconscious. Many people live by values that are not theirs. These values have been passed down through generations and/or are shaped by the caregivers and environment. What are your values? Are your values yours? Do you value your values? Do you live by your values? 
  4. Developing emotional intelligence (EI) sets great leaders apart from good and poor leaders. While tangible skills in a profession can be mastered (engineering, trade, finance, IT, marketing etc), if leaders are unable to develop their emotional intelligence skills, they will struggle when dealing with others. We are emotional creatures, regardless of how logical or pragmatic we may see ourselves and/or others. EI is about recognising, managing and regulating emotions in self and others. EI is about how well we cope with the ever-changing environment, be it a new process at work or moving to another country. What do you do when you feel triggered by somebody? Do you get defensive? Do you avoid confrontation? Do you know why you do this? How do you handle conflict between other people?
  5. Communication is the exchange of information between two or more parties using different modes (face to face, emails, teleconference, phone etc). It might sound simple but more often than not, it is far from simple! Communication is given and received based on our upbringing, our family, cultural background, societal background, education, language, body language, tone, words, mood and emotions. Has anybody ever misunderstood you? Have you ever misunderstood anybody? Is communication in this day and age getting too complicated?
  6. Managing conflict can be tricky to say the least! Whether it is a heated argument or a difference of opinion, most people do not enjoy dealing with conflict or being in conflict. Understanding how to navigate through it can give great leaders that 'je ne sais quoi' element. What is your style of conflict? How do you take care of yourself during conflict? Do you conflict with conflict?
  7. Meaningful relationships are essential to great leadership. These are formed when there is an amalgamation of all of the above traits, namely, self-awareness, mindset, values, emotional intelligence, communication and managing conflict. How meaningful are your key relationships at work? Would you change any of the challenging relationships? Are any of the traits mentioned above causing these challenges?

Mastering our leadership skills that align with who we are will no doubt make us a great leader. As a result, these will bring great(er) joy, peace and harmony to our professional and personal life. Like with most things in life, some of these leadership traits are inherent while others can be developed with drive, commitment and willpower. 

Did any of the above content resonate with you? Have you gained a deeper understanding of leadership skills? Could enhanced leadership skills enhance relationships in your organisation, reduce conflict, increase productivity and thus improve your organisation’s EBITDA? 

Author: Rabia Mirza. As an accredited leadership coach and HR consultant, Rabia Mirza helps people managers develop their leadership skills and empower them to be a greater version of themselves. For more details, contact her at: rabiamirzaleadership@gmail.com