10 proven tips on how to become a leader at work

Leaders are determined by their actions rather than their titles. Being a leader that people are willing to trust and follow only comes if you’re willing to invest the effort to build relationships and show your team why they should believe in you.¹

This article will explore 10 tips on how to become a better leader.

How to be a better leader in the workplace starts with mastering communication skills—both in speaking and active listening. Effective communication is critical for quality leadership. It doesn’t matter how wonderful your ideas are if you can’t communicate them to others. Leaders with good communication skills can inspire people and build trust with their teams to create positive change in their workplaces.²

Communication is about more than speaking, however. It’s also necessary to listen to others and empathize with their concerns. Active listening–a strategy for ensuring the flow of a conversation goes both ways–involves paying close attention to what people are saying to you, asking thoughtful questions and demonstrating empathy.²

Encourage openness and foster a positive work environment by ensuring all voices are heard, which promotes collaboration and trust. Additionally, tailor your leadership style to your audience, meeting the needs of each team member with empathy and clarity.

“Do as I say, not as I do” has never been an effective leadership strategy. Leading by example means modeling the behavior you want to see from your team. These leaders get into the action and work with their teams rather than issuing directives from the sidelines. When you’re closely involved, you can see what your team needs to do their best–if they’re burnt out or having trouble collaborating, you’ll see the problem early and be able to take action. Your team will also know you’re as invested in outcomes as they are, and that makes them more willing to go the extra mile.³

When your words and your actions line up, people are more likely to trust you. As a result, they’ll be more engaged, productive, and committed to their jobs. When your employees trust you, they have faith in your ability to make good decisions. Among the ways to be a better leader are fostering trust, cultivating positive relationships with your employees, being consistent in your behavior and actions, and demonstrating your expertise and good judgment.⁴

Build a rapport with others by listening to them and expressing interest in their lives outside of work. Be consistent by following through on your commitments and maintaining ethical standards, and be transparent about the rules and principles you’re following. Show your expertise by carefully considering different perspectives and considerations when you make decisions.⁴

Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize emotions in yourself and others, which allows you to regulate your own emotions and respond to other people’s. By leveraging emotional intelligence, you can help your team do their best work and create a positive environment that will increase productivity and efficiency.⁵ Leaders who have high emotional intelligence are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. They can manage their own emotions in any situation, so they can stay calm and make good decisions even during stressful events. They’re also capable of managing others’ emotional responses in order to bring out the best in them.⁵

Self-awareness is essential for effective leadership. Taking time to reflect regularly helps leaders identify areas for growth and improvement. This introspection not only sharpens leadership abilities but also ensures continuous personal development.

Embracing a growth mindset means viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Leaders who adopt this mindset inspire their teams to do the same, fostering an environment where everyone is motivated to develop and perform at their best.

Actively seeking feedback from team members further strengthens leadership skills. Understanding how others perceive your actions allows you to better support their development and refine your leadership approach.

Collaborative teams are more functional and effective. Leaders can encourage collaboration by being transparent and communicating often with their teams. The more information teams have, the more they can align their workplace activities with organizational objectives.⁶

They can also create a collaborative culture by asking for input and listening to what their team has to say. This type of listening environment inculcates innovation and creativity.⁶

Leaders don’t wait to be told what to do. They see what needs to be done and do it. Demonstrating initiative is a great way to be a better leader in the workplace. You don’t have to wait to be officially recognized as a leader to start taking initiative.

Another characteristic of people who demonstrate initiative is that they recognize opportunities others overlook. Deeply understanding what your organization does will help you turn challenges into opportunities.⁷

Today’s business environment is rapidly changing. To be a good leader, you need to be flexible and willing to change course quickly when necessary. This has been especially apparent in the past few years. From the pandemic to generative artificial intelligence (AI), businesses have had to embrace change and find innovative ways of doing business to remain competitive.⁸

Leaders can bring flexibility to their positions by being willing to learn from experiences–both their own and those of others. This characteristic allows them to pivot to better practices as well as identify and mitigate risks others may not notice.⁸

To maximize the potential of every team member, you’ll need to give them support and guidance. Mentoring and coaching team members is a crucial component of effective leadership. Encourage team members by acknowledging their work and recognizing their contributions. An essential part of leading is providing constructive feedback–both positive and negative–so your team members can grow professionally.⁹

Society, and by extension, business, is changing faster than ever. Leaders need to be able to learn new skills and continuously grow and develop personally and professionally. To make effective decisions, leaders have to stay updated on industry trends and understand all of the complex issues in their sector. Whether it’s through conferences, courses or advanced degrees, you’ll need to commit to lifelong learning to help your organization remain competitive in today’s marketplace.¹⁰

Becoming a better leader requires an ongoing commitment to growth, both personally and professionally. To thrive in today’s fast-changing world, leaders must adopt a growth mindset and pursue opportunities for development. Below are essential ways to grow your leadership skills and become a great leader.

• Regularly engage in professional development through conferences, workshops, and industry certifications 
• Follow market trends and emerging technologies to demonstrate leadership and make strategic decisions that benefit the entire team  
• Staying informed allows you to better understand new challenges and position yourself as a forward-thinking team leader 

• Pursuing a reputable MBA degree is a proven way to develop leadership qualities so you can take your career to the next level  
• An MBA provides in-depth knowledge of business strategy, finance, and management, empowering you to become a great leader in your organization  
• With a focus on team building and professional life development, an MBA equips you to lead with confidence, communicate effectively, and master diverse leadership styles
• Top-rated online MBAs are an excellent option for busy professionals who want to develop their skills while advancing their careers, allowing for flexibility to balance work and education

• Being a leader in the workplace means helping others grow into future team leaders through coaching, mentorship, and feedback  
• Use team-building activities to create a stronger, more collaborative workforce  
• Good leaders understand that developing others strengthens the organization as a whole and creates a lasting leadership culture

By investing in both practical experience and formal education—like pursuing an MBA—you can develop the skills to become a better leader and create meaningful impact within your organization.

Celebrating success in the workplace improves employee satisfaction and productivity. It increases the confidence of your team and gives them motivation to continue to achieve. You also need to understand your team to know what types of celebrations will be meaningful to them. While an extrovert may enjoy being recognized in front of a crowd, introverted team members may cringe.¹¹

Recognizing achievements in ways that resonate with individuals fosters a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to contribute their best.

Learn the skills you need to lead today’s globally connected organizations with KU’s #9 ranked best online MBA program.¹² You can learn from industry-leading professionals on your own schedule. You’ll also be able to tap into the Jayhawk network and connect with leaders in businesses of all sizes–from startups to Fortune 100 companies.

Schedule a call with one of KU’s admissions outreach advisors today to take your career to the next level.