Even the best leaders may sometimes lose sight of the big picture. They may get bogged down in their team’s day-to-day happenings and caught up in nonessential tasks. Leaders may also have a seemingly endless to-do list, making it that much harder to use their wisdom, insight and influence to help others.

What can leaders do? If you ask Lolly Daskal, a world-renowned speaker, consultant and leadership coach, they should remember the basics of leadership and not drift away from them. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we explain her thoughts on what leaders can never afford to forget if they want to be successful.

  1. Don’t micromanage. Some bosses want to control every aspect of how their team works. This can only lead to a demotivated and disengaged workforce, Daskal says. Instead, she recommends letting go of the reins and trusting your team to do their job. Give them the autonomy to make decisions. This can help you build the next generation of leaders.
  2. Remember your employees are experts. Daskal says all leaders should recognize that their employees are experts in their field. Don’t tell your team members how to do something, but instead offer support and guidance. She says this can help you maximize each employee’s potential while showing trust and respect for them.
  3. Always communicate. It’s imperative that leaders keep their team members informed and in the loop. Daskal says this can help build trust and ensure everyone is on the same page. It can also help prevent any misunderstandings.
  4. Show integrity. As a leader, your integrity is essential for building trust and respect among your employees, Daskal says. Act with integrity and lead by example. You’re helping set the moral compass for your team and entire organization.
  5. Make yourself accessible. Are you available when your team needs you? This is crucial to building a positive work culture. Your employees should be able to reach you and know you’ll respond in a timely manner to their questions or concerns.
  6. You create the culture. Leaders are responsible for setting their company’s culture, Daskal says. Your attitude and behavior set the tone. Stay positive and give respect to all your employees.
  7. Know that your leadership is contagious. Your behavior and actions create a ripple effect throughout your whole company. This is why it’s so important to lead by example. Daskal says this helps set a standard for others to follow.

Remember what compelled you to start your promo business or accept a leadership position. Don’t let the nonessential tasks get in the way of leadership basics, like leading by example and making yourself available to your team.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Lolly Daskal is the founder of Lead from Within, a global leadership, executive coaching and consulting firm. She’s also an author, speaker, consultant and leadership coach.