Building Footprints To Follow: Its Effects To Your Subordinates

Leaders are not born; they are made. One of the most critical traits in a leader is communication. One needs to communicate with subordinates and garner support from them effectively to get ahead. By establishing good communication channels with your subordinates, you create footprints that they can follow.

As a leader, it is crucial to inspire others and motivate them to follow your path. You encourage those around you and create larger footprints that others can follow when you do so. Furthermore, it also helps in maintaining your reputation and dignity.

Leaders exist for the betterment of their subordinates and should always lead by example to inspire them. Your behavior and actions must be exemplary and convey a sense of guidance. Only then will they follow along your path to success.

The Different Facets Of Leadership

To be an effective leader, it is crucial to understand the different facets of leadership. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes and can use various methods to lead their subordinates. The most important thing is that leaders understand their subordinates and communicate with them effectively. Here are different facets of leadership:

Positional Leadership

This is the most direct form of leadership where you are required to make orders and expect them to be followed without question. This is perhaps the primary way by which leaders can influence their subordinates. Inflexibility is an essential factor when using this method as it does not allow for individualized consideration.

Of course, there are pros and cons of this facet of leadership. It allows for faster decision-making, but the orders may not suit all scenarios. That's why it is crucial to understand your team and communicate with them effectively.

Participative Leadership

In this form of leadership, the leader encourages their subordinates to be involved in the decision-making process by giving them a voice in their projects. Leaders need to use participative leadership to inspire buy-in from their subordinates, but it may come at the cost of slowing down the decision-making process.

This is how Neo Kian Hong leads his people — and his organization — into the new frontier of Singapore's public transportation system. As the SMRT CEO, he believes that participative leadership is the best way to inspire his people. He understands that they are closest to the issues and will need to take the heat if they encounter difficulties, so he encourages them to voice their opinions.

Transactional Leadership

This form of leadership entails giving payoffs and punishments based on the performance of your subordinates. It can be effective when used sparingly and with caution, but it can also lead to a lack of motivation from your subordinates.

However, using it will keep your subordinates on their toes and allow you to motivate them by offering rewards. This form of leadership is best for managers who want to keep their team in check and adjust the dynamics based on the circumstances.

It is crucial to find the right balance for your team and to be able to adapt as needed. No two teams are the same, so a good leader must be able to tailor their approach to fit the needs of their subordinates.

The Importance Of Communication In Leadership

One of the most important facets of leadership is communication. When leading your team, it is essential to communicate with them on many levels. This allows for effective feedback and helps you understand your subordinates' needs.

Leaders must communicate with their team in a clear, concise manner that is easy to understand. It is important not to overwhelm them with too much information. Still, it is also essential for leaders to explain the importance of their directives so that the team understands the importance.

Effective communication is crucial for success, especially when building a solid foundation with your team. Influential leaders inspire their subordinates by communicating with them intimately, allowing them to understand the complexity of what they are trying to accomplish.

Being a leader is not an easy task, but it can be rewarding if done correctly. To be successful as a leader, you must communicate effectively with your subordinates and establish good communication channels. Your actions must also convey a sense of guidance to help them follow along the correct path.

Leaders are not born; they are made. And one of the most important things that a leader can do is create footprints that others will follow. This allows the leader to positively influence those looking up to them and reach new heights. So, if you are interested in leadership, always remember to create footprints that others will follow.