Tuesday, September 17, 2013

4 BECOME AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER: Lead From The Front

(EXTRACTION FROM LEADERSHIP SKILLS at http://www.mindtools.com)
 
EXPERT POWER
Expert power is essential because as a leader, your team looks to you for direction and guidance. Team members need to believe in your ability to set a worthwhile direction, give sound guidance and co-ordinate a good result.  Taken together, if your team sees you as an expert, you will find it much easier to motivate team members to perform at their best.
BUILD EXPERT POWER
Gain expertise
But just being an expert isn't enough, it is also necessary for your team members to recognize your expertise and see you to be a credible source of information and advice.
Promote an image of expertise
Make sure that subordinates, peers, and superiors are aware of his or her formal education, relevant work experience, and significant accomplishments.
Maintain credibility
Should avoid making careless comments about subjects on which he or she is poorly informed.
Act confidently and decisively in a crisis
Subordinates tend to associate confident, firm leadership with expert knowledge.
Keep informed
Expert power is exercised through rational persuasion and demonstration of expertise.
Rational persuasion depends on a firm grasp of up-to-date facts.
It is essential for a leader to keep well-informed of developments within the team, within the organization, and in the outside world.
Recognize subordinate concerns
Effective leaders listen carefully to the concerns and uncertainties of their team members, and make sure that they address these in making a persuasive appeal.
Avoid threatening the self-esteem of subordinates
Team members can dislike unfavorable status comparisons where the gap is very large and obvious.
They are likely to be upset by a leader who acts in a superior way, and arrogantly flaunts his greater expertise.

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