Becoming a successful leader requires a unique set of skills that go beyond the abilities needed as an individual contributor. Unfortunately, many managers and supervisors are not adequately prepared for their new roles, leading to stress and challenges for both themselves and their teams. The ever-changing landscape of work, exacerbated by the pandemic, has made leadership even more demanding. In this article, we will explore the essential skills for effective leadership in the current environment and provide actionable steps for managers and supervisors to develop and enhance these skills.

1. Communication: Effective communication is crucial in a remote and flexible work environment. Managers should adapt their communication style to meet the diverse needs of their team members. This involves mapping their own communication style against those of their team and making necessary adjustments. Additionally, active listening, clear articulation of expectations, and regular feedback are essential for fostering engagement and productivity.
2. Organization and Planning: Successful managers and supervisors excel in creating a vision for their teams, developing well-structured roadmaps, and navigating obstacles. Project planning skills enable leaders to break down complex goals into manageable tasks, prioritize effectively, and anticipate future work requirements. Contingency planning equips managers with the ability to solve problems proactively and make informed decisions when faced with unexpected challenges.
3. Emotional Awareness and Adaptability: Leaders must be emotionally intelligent, understanding their own emotions as well as those of their team members. Adapting management approaches to accommodate different personalities, work styles, and needs is vital for building strong relationships and promoting growth. Developing emotional intelligence competencies, such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management, fosters a balanced leadership approach and drives positive business outcomes.
4. Problem-Solving Skills: Strong problem-solving skills enable leaders to identify, define, and address issues effectively. Tenacity is essential for persevering through obstacles, while humility allows leaders to prioritize finding solutions over personal recognition. Building trust by providing timely and effective support to team members seeking assistance enhances problem-solving capabilities within the organization.
5. Composure: In an ever-changing world, leaders must remain composed in the face of uncertainty. Taking a pause before acting, seeking support from mentors, and breaking down overwhelming problems into manageable parts are effective strategies for maintaining composure. Cultivating resilience and adaptability will enable managers and supervisors to navigate challenging situations with confidence.

Developing Managerial and Supervisory Skills

To develop and enhance leadership skills, managers and supervisors can take the following steps:

1. Precisely define success for the team: Clearly communicate expectations and provide feedback to ensure clarity and motivation among team members.
2. Create an atmosphere of psychological safety: Encourage risk-taking and growth by fostering a safe environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.
3. Seek out mentorship and coaching: Learn from experienced leaders by seeking advice and guidance. Consider both internal mentors within the organization and external mentors in the industry.
4. Stay informed through thought leadership: Follow experts in the field of leadership to stay updated on the latest research, trends, and best practices. Engage with content created by respected professionals in the field.

The role of managers and supervisors has evolved, requiring a broader skill set to succeed in the modern workplace. Effective leadership demands strong communication, organizational and planning abilities, emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and composure. By developing these skills through clear goal-setting, fostering psychological safety, seeking mentorship, and staying informed, managers and supervisors can thrive in their roles, lead their teams effectively, and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the future of work.

Testing For Leadership Qualities

Testing leadership qualities can be challenging since leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept. However, there are various methods and approaches you can use to assess and evaluate leadership qualities. Here are some common strategies:

1. Self-assessment: Encourage individuals to reflect on their own leadership abilities and assess their strengths and areas for improvement. This can be done through self-reflection exercises, personality assessments, or leadership competency frameworks.
2. 360-degree feedback: Collect feedback from multiple sources, including superiors, peers, subordinates, and even external stakeholders, to gain a comprehensive perspective on a leader’s performance. This feedback can provide valuable insights into leadership strengths, blind spots, and areas requiring development.
3. Behavioral interviews: Conduct structured interviews that focus on specific leadership competencies or behavioral indicators. Ask candidates to provide examples of past experiences where they demonstrated leadership qualities, decision-making skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
4. Simulation exercises: Design simulated scenarios or role-playing exercises to assess leadership qualities in action. These exercises can involve team collaboration, conflict resolution, strategic decision-making, and handling challenging situations. Observers can assess how candidates lead, communicate, delegate, and adapt to different circumstances.
5. Case studies: Present candidates with real or hypothetical leadership challenges and ask them to analyze the situation, propose solutions, and explain their reasoning. This assesses their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
6. Leadership assessments and psychometric tests: Use validated assessment tools specifically designed to measure leadership qualities. These tests evaluate various aspects of leadership, such as emotional intelligence, communication skills, adaptability, resilience, and strategic thinking.
7. Performance evaluations: Regularly review and evaluate leaders’ performance based on agreed-upon performance metrics and objectives. Assess their ability to achieve goals, drive results, inspire and motivate their team, and exhibit effective communication and decision-making skills.
8. Observation and feedback: Continuously observe leaders in action and provide constructive feedback on their behaviors and actions. This can involve regular check-ins, coaching sessions, and mentoring to support their development as effective leaders.

It’s important to note that no single method can fully capture all aspects of leadership. A combination of these approaches, tailored to the specific context and goals, can provide a more comprehensive assessment of leadership qualities. Additionally, leadership development should be an ongoing process that includes training, coaching, and opportunities for growth and learning.