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PQ magazine for part qualified accountants.
Read the latest web issue here, if you like what you see sign up today |
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Follow the leader |
Becoming a proficient accountant is only part of your training. Learn the art of leadership. Phil Attenborough reports |
In a recent survey of 50 global companies, the international research firm ISR found a direct link between effective leadership and commercial performance. In organisations where leaders received an 'average' rating from employees, sales improved over the course of a year by just over 6 per cent. But in organisations where they received a 'high' rating, sales rose by more than 10 per cent. According to the old adage, however, leaders are born not made. Leadership skills certainly can't be taught in the classroom – even the world's top business schools have admitted that – but if you already have the basics, such as self-confidence and the power to persuade, they can be honed and developed by following a few straightforward rules:
1) Communicate clearly People respond much better when they know what is expected of them, so leave no margin for misunderstanding or confusion and give a regular reminder of what your expectations are in terms of objectives. Always keep the people you are working with informed of project goals and priorities. Provide clear direction, and openly welcome questions and feedback.
2) Set a good example Demand from yourself the same level of professionalism, excellence and dedication that you expect from others. And don't hesitate to show real enthusiasm in your work – it will inspire people around you towards peak performance. Cynicism will achieve the opposite.
3) Be decisive A quality leader needs to make decisions and stick to them. People do not feel comfortable with someone who changes their mind too often. You only have to look at public opinion on government U-turns to see how easily confidence in a leader can be knocked or lost altogether. However, don't confuse decisiveness with inflexibility. If you are wrong admit it, and embrace change as the basis of continuing improvement.
4) Listen You have to be genuinely approachable and willing to understand the challenges and problems that others face. An open door policy will encourage your team to communicate openly and honestly with you at all times, which will make managing them a lot easier.
5) Empower Let people get on with their own jobs and use their own skills. But make sure that you brief them properly on targets and deadlines and don't be afraid to enforce them.
6) Show respect Not just respect for the individual but for their skills, opinions and position.
7) Give recognition Publicly recognise the achievements and contribution of the people working with or for you. There are few things more demoralising than a so-called leader who hogs all the glory for themselves. Praise does not always need to be in the context of a formal programme. In fact, it's often more effective if you make verbal compliments part of day-to-day communication with your team.
8) Build relationships The old 'command and control' idea of leadership is rapidly on its way out. Now the idea is to persuade and motivate to get the best results. And that means building relationships downwards, upwards and sideways across your organisation. Really effective corporate leaders get things done because they know who to ask and how to pull in favours. Which often means dishing out favours in the first place. If you want to see a master at work in this art of mutual back-scratching, rent or buy yourself a copy of The Godfather (just ignore the bits about beheading racehorses, etc)
9) Have vision Vital, but to be used with care. Good leaders help their staff and their team-mates to see the bigger picture and to understand how their work fits into the organisation's long-term goals. But remember that if you overdo this, you'll end up sounding like Ricky Gervais in The Office.
* Phil Attenborough works for financial recruitment specialists Hewitson WalkerIn a recent survey of 50 global companies, the international research firm ISR found a direct link between effective leadership and commercial performance. In organisations where leaders received an 'average' rating from employees, sales improved over the course of a year by just over 6 per cent. But in organisations where they received a 'high' rating, sales rose by more than 10 per cent. According to the old adage, however, leaders are born not made. Leadership skills certainly can't be taught in the classroom – even the world's top business schools have admitted that – but if you already have the basics, such as self-confidence and the power to persuade, they can be honed and developed by following a few straightforward rules:
1) Communicate clearly People respond much better when they know what is expected of them, so leave no margin for misunderstanding or confusion and give a regular reminder of what your expectations are in terms of objectives. Always keep the people you are working with informed of project goals and priorities. Provide clear direction, and openly welcome questions and feedback.
2) Set a good example Demand from yourself the same level of professionalism, excellence and dedication that you expect from others. And don't hesitate to show real enthusiasm in your work – it will inspire people around you towards peak performance. Cynicism will achieve the opposite.
3) Be decisive A quality leader needs to make decisions and stick to them. People do not feel comfortable with someone who changes their mind too often. You only have to look at public opinion on government U-turns to see how easily confidence in a leader can be knocked or lost altogether. However, don't confuse decisiveness with inflexibility. If you are wrong admit it, and embrace change as the basis of continuing improvement.
4) Listen You have to be genuinely approachable and willing to understand the challenges and problems that others face. An open door policy will encourage your team to communicate openly and honestly with you at all times, which will make managing them a lot easier.
5) Empower Let people get on with their own jobs and use their own skills. But make sure that you brief them properly on targets and deadlines and don't be afraid to enforce them.
6) Show respect Not just respect for the individual but for their skills, opinions and position.
7) Give recognition Publicly recognise the achievements and contribution of the people working with or for you. There are few things more demoralising than a so-called leader who hogs all the glory for themselves. Praise does not always need to be in the context of a formal programme. In fact, it's often more effective if you make verbal compliments part of day-to-day communication with your team.
8) Build relationships The old 'command and control' idea of leadership is rapidly on its way out. Now the idea is to persuade and motivate to get the best results. And that means building relationships downwards, upwards and sideways across your organisation. Really effective corporate leaders get things done because they know who to ask and how to pull in favours. Which often means dishing out favours in the first place. If you want to see a master at work in this art of mutual back-scratching, rent or buy yourself a copy of The Godfather (just ignore the bits about beheading racehorses, etc)
9) Have vision Vital, but to be used with care. Good leaders help their staff and their team-mates to see the bigger picture and to understand how their work fits into the organisation's long-term goals. But remember that if you overdo this, you'll end up sounding like Ricky Gervais in The Office.
* Phil Attenborough works for financial recruitment specialists Hewitson Walker |
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