“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” —John Maxwell.

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Everyone has some leadership elements, but how good a leader they eventually become depends on how those elements are developed and nurtured as they move along in their career path. 

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Anyone can be given a leadership role, but only those with exceptional leadership skills can thrive in that position. Recruiters also consider good leadership skills as one of the core competencies of the candidates they select. The premium executive openings are sought to be filled by aspirants who exhibit well-rounded leadership abilities.

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As an ambitious leader striving to make steady hierarchical progress, you must commit to a few leadership habits that put you ahead in the race. Let's look at some of these critical habits.

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Build And Nurture Relationships

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Some leaders are of the opinion that efficiency and the ability to deliver results are the only things needed to succeed. This may be true, but you can create a cohesive and highly engaged team if you can bond better with team members. Invest your time in building strong bonds with your team. It can provide the foundation for success.

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You must have the skills to build good relationships to be an effective leader. It helps gain respect as a leader. Your employees will strive to perform at their highest level because they trust and get inspired by you.

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Be An Enthusiastic Listener 

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You can only be a good leader if you are an avid and enthusiastic listener. Cultivate the habit of listening actively instead of merely hearing what your employees say. This allows you to ask more questions and make assessments from diverse angles. It may lead to better uncovering creative solutions that might not have emerged if you had not listened attentively.

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Cultivate and develop this habit by deliberately listening to more diverse voices. Register for events, and seek out podcasts or TEDx talks that challenge your perspectives. 

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Lead With Empathy

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Empathy is a leadership quality that every great leader must develop. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come naturally, and for most people, empathy is a bit challenging to cultivate. Many team members are unable to deliver their best simply because their bosses are not empathetic to the tough times they have at the workplace (and probably in their personal life too).

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Is it important to be kind? Yes, say the experts. Empathy helps you become better leaders and inspires positive change in the workplace. It begins by taking a genuine interest in the struggles of others and helping them professionally.

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Become a Reader

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The best leaders never put a full stop to their learning process. They keep updating their knowledge by reading books and articles related to their field of interest and beyond. Reading gives you insight into new ideas and perspectives. It also increases your ability to understand and analyze people and situations better.

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You can pick up anything to read - fiction or nonfiction. The goal must be to take some time out to read regularly. It helps improve our attention span and stimulates our thinking process. 

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Conclusion

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Every new year is a unique opportunity for business leaders to reflect on the past and take steps to improve the future. In 2023, start afresh by embracing habits that can help you show up as your best version. Go beyond the standard definition of leadership and begin practicing the habits recommended in this article. It will prepare you to become a great leader and thrive in your role. 

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For more such high-value leadership input from qualified business professionals, contact

www.info@momentumconsultinggrp.com. 

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Momentum Consulting Group works with companies of all sizes to mentor and design transformational leadership programs. Connect with us to learn about leadership development and its applications in the ever-changing business management landscape.