April 17, 2024

8 questions you should ask yourself to know if you are a good leader

Collaboration

Productivity

Technology

Continuous employee rotation, scarcity of talent for key positions, challenges in terms of belonging and commitment linked to new hybrid and remote work models, people prioritizing their personal well-being above all else. The world of work bears little resemblance to how it was just a few decades ago. And amidst all this change, the need for new, more human, more empathetic, more connective leadership has emerged.

Every leader should ask themselves at least these eight questions to understand if they are on the right track given the demands of these fast-paced times (and answer them honestly, as one of the qualities of a good modern leader is, precisely, honesty):

  1. How much importance do you really give to the well-being, time, and needs of your team? The temptation is within reach: the simplicity of new technologies for setting up virtual meetings and coordinating schedules often leads to overloading people. Striving for balance and using tools that allow each person to truly enjoy flexible models is key to improving engagement and, ironically, productivity as well.
  1. Do you believe your team trusts you? “Trust,” perhaps one of the most valuable assets a modern leader can develop, should not be confused with “respect” (things are done because the boss said so) or, worse yet, “fear.” Communication should always be honest, clear, and transparent.
  1. How much importance do you give to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Inclusive leaders promote diversity within their teams and value different perspectives to deliver better products, services, and experiences.
  1. Have you taken the time to understand what your team members want? People are more productive and engaged when they feel their goals and values are aligned with the organization’s purpose they work for.
  1. How open are you to accepting mistakes in your team? New leaders view mistakes as an essential part of the innovation process and not as something to be penalized. As for one’s own mistakes, they must be accepted. It is better to be seen as a human capable of making mistakes and learning from them than as an all-powerful and inaccessible being.
  1. Do you consider yourself an empathetic person? This soft skill is essential for keeping teams happy. Understood as the ability to feel others’ emotions and interpret how they may be thinking or feeling, empathy is the gateway to higher levels of loyalty and trust.
  1. How much autonomy do you give your team? Authoritarian bosses, those for whom all decisions had to pass through, are becoming extinct. Today, people value collaborative environments, where all voices are heard, and tools are available to advance in the resolution of situations autonomously and proactively, always within the scope assigned to each person.
  1. Do you recognize your team’s achievements? It’s not just about emphasizing mistakes but celebrating every success, both individually and collectively. And, of course, a modern leader never appropriates an idea that doesn’t belong to them.

These questions are just the beginning of the journey. A good leader also questions how they are managing their people, how they could improve the quality of work and the work environment, and how digital platforms like Workdeck can help them add even more value. Request a free demo and see for yourself how to maximize your team’s potential.