A quick search of leadership topics will yield you thousands upon thousands of results. Surely there can’t be that many topics under leadership without a few being redundant, right?
In short, the answer is yes, and some topics are probably redundant. But, in actuality, it depends on what your interest in leadership topics are. Are you trying to become a better leader in your daily life, at work, among your friends’ group, or to your family?
Maybe it’s your job to train or manage a group of people at work, and you need topics for development. So, if you’re interested in leadership topics, you may need to narrow your focus.
Here, we’ll try to help you narrow your focus and give you some inside knowledge and insight along the way.
Finding out your why may help you better find the answers you’re searching for. Let’s take a quick look at what it means to be a leader and what leadership encompasses.
What Does it Mean to Be A Great Leader?
Some people believe that because they aren’t great leaders out of the cage, they’ll never be great leaders. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Leadership tends to fall on a bell curve, meaning that those with a range of natural leadership skills and those with few can still learn to become great leaders. It’s not impossible.
To paint a picture of what it means to be a great leader, we’ll use an example that most people will find familiar. Steve Jobs died a leader, and many people believe that Apple would not be around today had Jobs not been the leader that he was.
But it wasn’t always that way. Jobs founded Apple Computer with Steve Wozniak in 1976. In 1985, his position was terminated by the board of directors. Steve had a reputation in those days for going on tirades, yelling at employees and vendors for perceived failures, and having no interest in the feelings of others.
It’s no wonder that he was relieved of his position. How could his team accomplish a common goal for the company without inspiration and a positive direction? Later, in 1997, Jobs was hired back at Apple as the CEO. It was at this time that he went on to develop one of the most notable products in the world, the iPhone (and iPod, and many other products).
Jobs became a great leader later on when he began showing empathy for others when he believed in a vision and was able to inspire others into believing in and achieving that same vision.
What we learned from Jobs is that a great leader can be made, and it often takes time, a willingness to change and learn from what works and what utterly fails. A great leader can take a look inside themselves and be willing to master behavioral change that suits the needs of the group that must be lead.
What is Leadership?
Everyone has their ideas about what leadership is. The answer will vary widely depending on who you ask because people bring their own experiences to the table. Someone who has worked several jobs starting at the bottom of the ladder and working for others maybe leadership is the common positive and negative traits they observed from working under a range of good or bad leaders.
On the other hand, someone who has consistently worked in mid-level or even upper-level roles will have different ideas because they’ve had the responsibility of leading others while dealing with things that people at lower levels don’t witness or see every day.
We often think of leadership in a business setting, where a leader helps a group of people navigate and achieve a standard related to the company’s needs.
However, there are so many other instances when your leadership skills could be put to the test or become very helpful. We love this definition of leadership because it encompasses leadership in just a few simple words without going off on any tangents.
Leadership is the act of the leader, inspiring and directing the action.
Why Are You Searching for Leadership Topics?
It’s time to find out why you’re searching for leadership topics. The most prominent or common reasons are that you’re trying to become a better leader or help others around you to become better leaders. Leading others happens in many ways.
Each day, we take part in groups, and most groups have at least some form of a leader. Some groups you participate in may not even be noticeable to you. There are online community groups to in-person friend groups, your colleagues, relationships and familial groups, and also functional groups or interest groups.
While you can learn many things from general leadership topics, being a leader to your family unit may require more specialized development than say, studying leadership topics for career development.
Below, we’ll go over general leadership topics that can help anyone build on their strengths and refine their weaknesses. Leaders can be born regardless of beginning skill and knowledge; everyone can grow with a little time and effort put into personal (or professional) development.
How Can I Become A Great Leader?
Becoming a great leader, is mostly attainable to most, if not all, folks, regardless of current ability. Remember, Steve Jobs was fired from the company he founded by its board of directors due to his inability to lead effectively.
Later on, he became the CEO of the same company and paved the way for iconic and revolutionary products most people know of today. That means, with a little bit of elbow grease, willingness to learn and face one-self, you can take the necessary steps to become a great leader too.
Starting with this article is a great idea, we’re going to touch on several important factors and leadership topics down below.
How Can I Help Others Develop Into Leaders?
If you’re interested in helping others become leaders because it’s your job to train them, or you want to instill a leadership mentality into your employees, friends, or family members, there are a few simple things you can do.
You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Lead by example,” so you can start there. Everything you do should be done with a leadership focus if you want to show others what it means to be a great leader.
Take a look at these three simple ways to start helping others develop into influential leaders.
Set Realistic Expectations
A common problem new and potential leaders face is setting unrealistic expectations in the beginning stages. If you’re coaching others, you must help them understand that mastering a new set of skills takes time, dedication, and effort.
As new leaders, people need to learn that each time they put in the effort, they’re taking a step towards increased experience and greater success. Now, they’ll have a view of themselves in a more positive light. Attaining leadership skills doesn’t happen overnight. The skills must be learned and practiced repetitively until they become refined.
Putting Skills to the Test
Reading something from a book or hearing it in a lecture or speech is a great way to gain insight, a little knowledge, or a new idea. But coming upon expertise doesn’t translate into attaining that skill until it’s been put to use. It’s in this step that you’ll want to encourage your new leaders to put their knowledge into practice.
Provide plenty of opportunities for them to practice their skills and hone their abilities to think and act like leaders. As your new leaders try over and over again, they’ll eventually get it right.
Encourage Them To Ask For Help
It’s important for those newly in leadership roles to know what’s expected of them and to hold themselves accountable. However, it’s equally important that they know they can and should ask for help. Remember, that unrealistic expectations from the get-go are a no-no. These people in new leadership roles should understand that they aren’t expected to know everything from the start.
The best leaders can seek help when it’s needed, to pool information, knowledge, and tips from other sources which may be already high in their leadership roles. Most people who are already successful in the area are happy to spread the knowledge with others, but often don’t go stepping on peoples’ toes to give it to them.
It’s likely that others’ will be flattered that they’ve been asked to impart their wisdom, so it’s a win-win for all. Asking others for help is also a lesson in humility and pride, a leader should never be too proud to ask for help when it’s needed because doing so benefits the whole team.
When there are plenty of resources to go around, asking for help also ensures leaders are working on their collaboration skills. Collaborating with others is an excellent skill to have because it helps build a positive culture within the group and increases cooperation.
Remember, as you’re coaching other new leaders, it may not always be easy. People may become frustrated and hurt at times, but it’s all part of the process. Helping others develop into leaders can be highly satisfying, as most people need to use their leadership skills in various aspects of their lives, and you’ll have been a part of that.
What Leadership Topics Are the Most Important to Focus On?
Since there are many situations where leadership skills become necessary or desired, let’s talk about three diverse locations. Leadership in the family, among friend groups, and in the workplace.
You’ll notice that many skills are similar. However, you may implement them differently in various aspects of life. It doesn’t hurt to develop all abilities in all areas over time, but you may be more interested in specific situations at this time.
Ways to Lead Your Family
Here are several simple things to focus on while you’re becoming a better leader for your family.
Be All of the Things You Expect From Your Family Members
That means to stand tall and lead by example. If you expect others in the family to have morals, respect, act responsibly, be trustworthy and faithful, then you’ll need to demonstrate those skills and attitudes across the board.
Be a Partner, Not a Dictator
If your family unit includes a spouse or other equal adults, work in partnership with this person. You don’t need to have unilateral authority over the family; you need to help lead and guide the family. So, talk with other adults, agree, and go forth together.
Practice Serving Your Family
The greatest gift you can give your family is the comfort in them, knowing your purpose is to serve them. You do all that you do so that the family can reap the benefits, not just yourself. Show your family where your mindset is by always working towards the greater good of them.
Have Humility
Have humility when serving your family. It should never turn into an “all that I do for you” type of situation, but rather how all work together for the betterment of the family.
Always Strive to Grow
There’s never a time when you’ll be 100 percent perfect, know every answer, and always do the right thing. There will be times you falter, times where you need to adapt and change, and times when you’ve lost a skill, you thought you add.
You’re never too great to keep learning and growing, so always seek to further your knowledge and skills.
Be Courageous
Take a stand for what you believe in. This may sound great, but it doesn’t always come easy or without cost. You must be courageous enough to fight for what you believe in. Others in your family will learn from your conviction and learn to trust in you.
Lead with an Open Mind and an Open Heart
Never be quick to judge, blame, or tear down your family members. You want these people to trust you, learn from you, and grow with you. This means you must be quick to apologize, admit when you’re wrong, and always open to discuss anything that happens or goes on.
Your family unit must know that they can come to you without fear of repercussion. That doesn’t mean they will “get away” with things or that you can’t explain why something is the way it is. But it does mean that you must speak and find a way of being that’s constructive rather than destructive.
Ways to be A Leader Among Friends
Being a part of a friend group that’s either large or small, you may not have thought of any as the leader. But, think about it real quick. Often, without even realizing it, we fall into specific roles in our friend groups.
Think about who always does the planning of trips, nights out, or birthdays among your friends. There may also be the one who can always be counted on to show up in the nick of time. There are also might be the person each of you goes to for advice because they always know the right things to say, or how to listen and make others feel heard.
These are all roles among the group. If you find yourself always to be taking on leadership tasks or becoming interested in leading the group into a new direction, you can focus on these leadership tasks.
Be Open to Communication
There is nothing that drives people or groups apart further or faster than a lack of communication. If you need to make an effort to keep the lines of communication open because people are busy, or because some people in the group aren’t always on the same page, then do so.
Group cohesion relies on direct and indirect communication, so start a group chat, make a shared calendar, or volunteer to be the person who lets everyone know what’s going on. Find out what works best for each individual and come up with a plan to make everyone feel welcome and included.
Delegate
Humans have a strong desire to belong. Often, that translates into needed personal connections to help one feel supported and accepted. This is an emotional need of the group that you’ll want to take into consideration when you’re taking on the role of leader.
One way you can make the individuals in your group feel connected is by delegating. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, a weekend getaway, or other celebration, let everyone have a hand in making the occasion special. You can do so by taking the time to learn everyone’s strengths and giving them something to do that gives them a chance to shine.
Lead By Example
This is one of those leadership topics that you’ll see pop up no matter the group you’re leading. It’s easily one of the most essential. Leading by example, helps foster a sense of trust among the group.
If your friends’ group as accepted you as the leader, then they will be looking to you for inspiration and noting the example you set. If you’re always late and canceling plans last minute, they’ll know what to expect. If you’re cold, calm, and collected no matter what the situation is, they’ll come to identify you like that.
One way you can lead by example among your friends’ group is to set the precedence for respect and humility. That means that you don’t engage with talking about other group members’ behind their backs, you don’t allow small problems to spiral out of control, and you don’t put group members down in front of other group members.
If an issue arises in the group, keep it on a need to know basis and deal with in private between the involved parties. No one should be put in the spotlight and be made to feel bad or ostracized.
Don’t Micromanage
Lastly, consider that a friends’ group doesn’t necessarily need an end-all, be-all leader. It’s a group that should consist of symbiotic relationships where everyone gives and takes. If you tend to be the planner and doer, and others have accepted and encouraged your role, that’s great.
However, it doesn’t give you the right to micromanage your friends. They’re people too, and all equal parts to the group. So, go easy. Be open to new ideas, and don’t force any roles or tasks on others.
Leading in the Workplace
Leading in the workplace is no easy feat. Most great leaders have spent a long time becoming great. While some may have been gifted some natural talent, they still spent years gaining experience, insight, and forethought to become the leaders they are. Here are some important topics to consider on your way to becoming great.
One of the most well-known leadership models is the Hersey-Blanchard Model. In this model, it’s believed that no leadership style is better than another. Only that to be a great leader in the workplace, one must focus on factors of the specific workplace, adjusting their method to the strengths and weaknesses of their followers.
Think with A Task-Relevant and Relationship-Relevant Focus
For this focus, you need to learn to consider the people you’re leading. If you’re leading in a way that is not effective for the group, then you’re not an efficient leader. Your style should be less rigid and more adaptive, flexible, and considerate of your team.
Behavioral Change
Becoming a great leader boils down to one thing, which could be considered the holy grail of leadership – behavioral change. All of your leadership development practices, and studies should focus on whether or not they will achieve long-term behavioral change. As we discussed earlier, becoming a leader is dependent mainly on practicing putting knowledge into action.
If you think about it, that means that while you should always continue to learn and grow, leadership development should focus on whether or not doing what you’re doing, taking specific actions, will have a positive impact in the long term.
So if a development focus is put to the test and found that it’s likely to help you achieve sustainable behavioral change, then you’re on the right track. If not, shift your focus in a new direction.
People Are More Important Than Tasks
It’s easy for leaders to get wrapped up in the tasks that they must complete on the back end and lag in the front end when it comes to leading the team. For example, as the manager, you may need to complete inventory and stock reports. You find it hard to achieve these reports when you’re working on them, and team members are coming in and out of your office to ask you questions at the beginning of the shift, often resulting in you becoming agitated and visibly annoyed.
Well, the reports aren’t done as you’d like them to be, you’re annoyed, and your team members begin to view you as such. If your team needs your attention the first 1-2 hours of the day, give it to them. Save the reports for another time when they’re busy elsewhere and less likely to need your attention.
Be Willing to Change
Be adaptive, flexible, and willing to change yourself to incite change in others. For example, say you’re allowed to lead a team that’s not producing well, they’re not engaging in weekly team meetings and a general attitude of not caring. You’ve tried pulling individuals aside to let them know what they need to improve on, discussed productivity and expectations in meetings, and there’s been no change.
It’s time to shift focus and change yourself because this isn’t working. You can start each meeting off with time for gratitude and acknowledging achievements. Rather than talking to team members about what they’re doing wrong, make an effort to speak to them about other things. Acknowledge that they are people, you can push them while still caring for them.
Will it be an overnight fix? It’s not likely, but you’ll see constant changes over time as your ability to adapt helps shift the focus of the entire crew.
Wrapping Things Up
If there’s one take away from leadership development here, it’s practice, practice, practice. You must practice putting new knowledge into action every day to become great over time. Even if you only focus on one or two leadership topics to follow up and master, doing so will help you tremendously.
Practice humility, self-awareness, and be willing to learn and grow continually. If something is not working for you in your situation, be able to recognize it and accept it for what it is. It doesn’t have to be a failure, just another opportunity to practice adapting to new situations, which is yet another skill that will be useful for you over the long term.