By Chad Halvorson
Leading a team is every kid’s dream. Who doesn’t want to be the hero that slays the enemy, gets the gold, and ultimately leads their people to success? But, the reality of leadership isn’t like the movies—it’s a lot more complicated.
Each team member has a different communication style, and brings a unique skill set to the table. The company has tons of different goals, and it’s hard to prioritize what needs to get done, and who needs to do it.
In order to be an effective leader, you need more than a good attitude and a little kid’s dream. You need good management skills. Here’s my comprehensive list of skills that you’ll need to thrive as a manager:
1. Vision
Where is your company going? What about your team? How do you harmonize the team with the company’s goals? Leaders often have the best intentions, but they get caught up in day-to-day management, putting out fires instead of working to unite their people under a shared vision.
Lack of direction leaves team members feeling confused about purpose. They know they’re working hard, but it’s difficult for them to see their impact. They don’t know which initiatives to prioritize. As a leader, you not only need a clear vision, but you also need to communicate it well.
