4 Helpful Ideas for Improving Your Leadership Skills and Qualities

When it comes to leadership skills, adding and improving upon them could mean great things for your personal and professional lives. Those who know how to lead are often promoted to higher positions at work, commanding a higher salary and winning accolades from professional organizations. In private life, you may be named a leader at your church, synagogue, civic organization or fundraising event. If you're hoping to improve your skills and take the lead, here are some considerations.

An Excellent Ability to Delegate

Forbes Magazine listed the ability to delegate among one of the top ten leadership qualities in 2012. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your team members and doling out work based on that knowledge is a valuable strength. Delegating tasks also allows you to avoid stretching yourself too thin or resorting to micromanaging.

Honest and Clear Communication

There's little more frustrating to those on the team than a supervisor who cannot communicate effectively. Emails are a disorganized wreck or ignored entirely, conversations are convoluted and no one is sure about what they're supposed to doing or when the wok is expected to be completed. If you want to be a good leader, you need to be clear and concise in your communication.

A Commitment to Education

You can't expect your team to follow you if you don't understand the task or are behind on industry-specific information or technology. If it's been awhile since you completed your bachelor's degree, you may want to consider furthering your education. There is a variety of degrees you can pursue to improve your leadership skills and qualities. For example, many universities offer online Public Administration Master's programs, an excellent choice to enhance your leadership as well and learning on your own schedule.

Efficient Problem-Solving Skills

When an issue crops up and you're the leader, everyone is going to look to you for solutions. Learning to think on your feet and look for unconventional resolutions to problems is an essential skill that will help you keep your team focused on on-task. Getting involved in a leadership class or taking a problem-solving course can help sharpen your skills and teach you to solve problems ranging from minor to game-changing.

Learning to be a good leader is an ongoing process. By honing these skills and working on self-improvement, you can make your leadership known and be successful in both your professional and personal lives. Continuing your education and being active in self-improvement are essential aspects of being a dynamic, fair and motivating leader.

About the author

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing.

When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and

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