In today’s rapidly changing and competitive world, leadership plays a crucial role in the success of individuals, organizations, and communities. An outstanding leader can inspire, guide, and motivate people to work together toward common goals.

Why is leadership important?

• Vision and Decision-Making Ability: A leader needs a clear strategic vision, the ability to analyze situations, and make sound decisions to guide the organization in the right direction.
• Effective Communication Skills: Communication is key to connecting people, sharing information, and building trust. A good leader needs to be able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and inspire others.
• Motivation and Potential Development: To achieve common goals, the collective effort of everyone is necessary. A leader must be able to motivate team members, unlock their potential, and maximize the abilities of each individual.
• Problem-Solving and Conflict Management: Throughout operations, difficulties, challenges, and conflicts are inevitable. Leaders must possess the ability to solve problems effectively, manage conflicts skillfully, and maintain unity and stability within the organization.
• Adaptability and Innovation: The world is constantly changing, so leaders must be able to adapt quickly to new changes, continually learn, and innovate to ensure the sustainable development of the organization.

Leadership competencies are not only for those in management positions. Every individual, regardless of their role, can develop and hone their leadership abilities to become a positive influence on the community around them.

The competencies a leader needs

1. Influence – The ability to inspire and influence employees

The ability to motivate and inspire others to take action is what differentiates a leader from a manager. The best leaders are those who can influence the rise and fall of the entire organization, impacting business outcomes by driving behavioral change in their employees, thus demonstrating effective leadership.

The core of influence is achieving a willingness to cooperate rather than mere compliance. This influence leaves a lasting impression both in the emotions and thoughts of those who are impacted, driving them to strive for success, work hard for the team, and contribute to the long-term goals of the organization.

“Teamwork” is a compound word combining “team” (group, team) and “work” (tasks, duties). A team is a gathering of individuals with different backgrounds, working together to solve a problem. Each member of the team is an essential link in the chain, bringing their skills, experiences, and unique personalities and perspectives. This is why the ability to work in teams is essential for leaders to develop.

Before engaging in any team-building activities or organizing team meetings, leaders must ask themselves: “Am I managing a group of high-performing individuals, or am I leading a high-performing team?” Setting the team’s common goal as the focus of the process, coordinating, and leveraging the talents of team members are the keys to the success of any team activity.

To lead a team effectively, a leader must always see themselves as part of the team, listening, gathering, analyzing, and encouraging employee feedback. Each individual within the group has their own strengths, but each is also limited in ways that others may not be.

3. Communication – The essential communication skills for a leader

Communication is a process of exchanging messages both verbally and non-verbally, and it is a continuous two-way process. A prerequisite for communication is that a message must be transmitted through various means to the receiver – such as voice, body language, email, presentations, or posters. Therefore, as a leader who guides and inspires the team, as well as represents the company to partners, government agencies, and the public, a leader needs to use flexible and effective communication methods.

Communication skills are not innate but are acquired through practice and refinement, combining appropriate methods and techniques. In addition to verbal communication, leaders should always pay attention to non-verbal cues and actions to enhance the effectiveness of their message and build trust.

Moreover, leaders must always allocate time for active listening, calmly and gently receiving differing opinions from employees, taking more time to converse and understand their circumstances. This enables the leader to self-evaluate, improve, and enhance their communication skills.

When communication is effective, leaders can not only convey the company’s goals and vision, inspire, and motivate employees, but also consistently elevate their own and the organization’s standing.

4. Decision – Core decision-making skills in leadership

       

With the role of a leader, the ability to make decisions and direct actions according to the set plan is a vital skill that greatly impacts the business’s effectiveness.

Typically, decision-making is understood as choosing the best or most reasonable solution to a defined problem. Decision-making skills involve a series of conclusions and personal actions to ensure that a decision is made to achieve the most optimal outcome, aligned with one’s goals.

The quality and outcomes of decisions can have a positive or negative impact on both employees and the business. This skill is mainly developed through study, work, and the accumulation of experience in various fields. Along with knowledge and attitude, skills are a core component of competency. This ability can be learned or developed through training or personal experience.

Three essential factors are typically considered when a leader makes decisions:

• Deep expertise to plan, analyze information in detail, and orient the organization in the right direction.
• Critical thinking skills to analyze, judge, evaluate key issues, and adapt solutions flexibly.
• Active listening from employees and learning from failures.

These qualities are necessary for effective decision-making, allowing leaders to confidently make the right decisions, even in challenging situations where ordinary people may struggle.

5. Management – Leadership Management Skills

Management is a continuous, organized, and planned process through which the leader directs, coordinates, and unites participants to work towards common goals. As the representative and guide of the organization’s development, the leader must continuously practice management and develop their management skills.

Management skills vary greatly depending on the nature of the business and its development environment, but they can be classified into four main types:

• Organizational skills: To balance multiple tasks and ensure time, quality, and efficiency, the leader needs to assign tasks and organize processes effectively.
• Planning and strategic skills: To set objectives and determine the best steps to achieve them, forecasting and analyzing potential situations.
• Communication skills: These are essential for leaders to guide, convey company goals, and connect with employees effectively.
• People management skills: To understand, nurture, and leverage employee talents to build a strong workforce for the company’s future.

6. Contribution – The Spirit of Contribution

The attitude and behavior of a leader shape the collective spirit of the organization. People will follow what you say and do. A leader serves as the ideal role model, inspiring and energizing the team.

Working with passion is the secret to encouraging employees to give their best for the work and achieve collective results. Many workers struggle to find passion in their work. In such cases, leaders must clarify their roles and help employees find meaning in their work.

Leaders must understand the strengths and weaknesses of each employee, assign tasks accordingly, and create opportunities for skill development that align with their advantages. The results of their work will lead to deserved rewards, contributing to both personal and team success, helping them realize the human value and significance of their role.

Finally, leaders should help employees balance personal life and work by providing benefits that allow them to take care of themselves, which will improve their performance both professionally and personally.

7. Vision – Strategic Vision

If leadership is like a captain steering a ship through the vast sea, vision is the compass that guides the team.

Understanding the goal to be achieved and defining the company’s strategy are crucial. Leaders need to have an objective view, fully assess the company’s current situation, and make decisive steps according to prioritized actions.

During the process, leaders must regularly reassess their decisions, determine which activities are essential, and which should be outsourced. Set detailed targets within a specified timeframe, and create concrete plans to achieve the desired future.

Whenever a new task arises, add it to the to-do list. Identify obstacles, constraints, and limitations that hinder the creation of the ideal company as per the strategic plan. What needs to be done to overcome them? Always learn, expand knowledge, and resources to reach strategic objectives.

Leaders who believe in themselves, stand firm in their decisions, and have a long-term vision inspire their teams and provide the most useful advice, fostering loyalty and guiding employees towards the company’s collective success.

8. Ethic – The Ethics of a Leader

Leaders must understand their values and the organization’s values. They are directly responsible for inspiring employees to follow them. Therefore, leaders must always act in ways that align with ethical principles established within the organization and in everyday decision-making.

Leadership and ethical values must go hand in hand in the strategy for developing a team. Based on common development criteria, each company will always have clear regulations and specific methods of action. However, personal values are one of the key factors that define a leader and build their personal brand.

     

What are the factors that create motivation in people? What makes employees strive to give their best?

Here are some key motivational factors that leaders need to provide for their employees:

• Challenging and interesting work: Giving employees a reason to be motivated by assigning them tasks that strengthen their abilities and push them out of their comfort zones, enabling further development.
• Open communication: A leader cannot simply assign tasks and ignore them without explaining the specific reasons for the task. Employees are always more motivated when they understand the significance of what they are doing in relation to the company’s overall goals.
• Sense of responsibility and accountability: This builds confidence and self-esteem in employees. They will always strive to complete their tasks to build a positive personal image.
• Personal growth and career advancement opportunities: When employees feel they are making progress or learning new and exciting things, they are more motivated to put in their best efforts.

Two final motivating factors are financial incentives and working conditions.

10. Responsibility

A responsible leader bears significant responsibilities and is accountable for everything that happens within the organization, whether good or bad.

     

• Responsibility for Strategic Vision

Leaders must define and direct the strategic goals of the company. They should articulate their vision clearly, showing the importance of the decisions being made. It’s crucial for them to help their employees understand their influence and responsibility within that direction.

• Preparing Resources

Not only must leaders ensure the stability of human resources, but they must also be experienced in managing budgets. A balance must be maintained between resources, always being ready to make appropriate decisions based on deep insights into the issues and understanding the strategic vision. Choosing the right people for the right tasks is essential.

• Building Corporate Culture

Corporate culture clearly reflects the leader’s vision and attitude, as it impacts the entire experience of employees and customers. Leaders need to observe and cultivate a culture that makes employees feel safe and respected. This culture should be applied consistently from top to bottom and across all departments.

• Making Timely, Correct Decisions

While leaders may not be experts in every aspect of the business, they are ultimately responsible for making decisions that require feasibility and accuracy. Leadership involves being accountable for results, even if employees accept or reject responsibility.

• Monitoring and Driving Performance

Leaders need deep knowledge of the market and the core business functions within the company to succeed in managing operations and being responsible for the company’s performance. Understanding the expectations of partners and communicating them clearly to the team is vital. Setting clear objectives helps connect internal operations with external partners.

HRDC shares.