Whether you just started working as a consultant for Brickworks Property Restoration or have been leading a consulting team for years, it’s important that you avoid becoming a toxic leader. At any point in your leadership career, you might fall victim to letting your ego get to you which could have a damaging effect on you, your business, and your team.
Here are 6 tips to avoid becoming a toxic leader. Let’s get into it!
Listen to Others
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to be able to listen to others. This means that you create space for others to open up to you, and you listen to them with care and respect. Even if you don’t necessarily agree or understand what someone is telling you, it’s important that you always try to hear what they have to say without judgment. In turn, this will help your team feel more comfortable with opening up to you.
Practice Compassion
Compassion is crucial when it comes to being a team leader. Compassion helps you to be able to connect on a deeper level with your team. By regularly practicing compassion, you foster a positive work environment built on a foundation of trust and caring. This creates a work culture where everyone knows their feelings, ideas, and thoughts matter.
Give Credit Where Credit is Due
It’s incredibly important that you recognize and acknowledge the work and effort your team puts in. While you don’t need to host an awards ceremony for each small win, you want to make sure that you reward or point out successes. Your team isn’t required to go above and beyond, but they’re more likely to do so if they feel their energy and effort isn’t taken for granted. You want your team to feel seen and appreciated, so you should always work to give credit and awareness if you notice your team or an individual who is working hard.
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is a hallmark trait of a successful, positive leader. If you want to avoid toxic leadership, you must first master the art of self-awareness. When you’re self-aware, you’re able to get a firm grip on your strengths and weaknesses. By having a greater understanding of yourself, you’re able to work on the areas that need strengthening and hone in on what you excel at as a leader.
Manage Your Emotions
Working as a leader in business comes with a whole slew of emotions that come up each day. Leaders face many challenges when it comes to their work, so it’s no surprise that it’s a high-stress career. This is why it’s even more vital that leaders learn to manage and regulate their emotions. Instead of becoming reactive to the emotions that coincide with being overwhelmed or met with uncertain situations, healthy leaders are able to manage their responses in a way that’s more productive and positive.
Check Your Ego
One of the most telling traits of a successful leader is that they have an inflated ego and sense of self. Toxic leaders end up failing their team and failing themselves as they let their ego get in the way. To avoid being a toxic leader, it’s paramount that you work to keep your ego in check. Learn to accept constructive criticism and don’t let successes take you away from connecting with your team on a human level.
