Leadership is not a sprint; it’s a marathon.

You may be moving towards a leadership role or have already been assigned to manage a team. Whatever the predicament maybe, you might be in search of guiding light, or some expert advise since you are here.

Finding a way to motivate yourself and your team is key to moving forward. A strategy certification seems to be the ideal way.

Till you decide to enrol in one, get started by taking a note of these tips to strengthen your leadership skills and prepare yourself to become an effective strategic leader of tomorrow.

Tips to Turn Yourself from an Employee to a Strategic Leader:

1. Practice Consistency

Maintaining consistency in certain tasks and processes can help yield positive results.

How?

Optimised processes allow for repeatability and efficiency. However, to reap these benefits, you and your team must follow these processes consistency.

• Do your part to ensure everyone understands the processes.
• Explain why the processes need to be followed as laid.
• Make it clear how by abiding by these processes will lead them to positive outcomes.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Adjustments

Don’t follow the processes for the sake of it. Saying “we’ve always done it this way” is not the answer or justification behind following a particular process.

A particular process or system may have made sense at some point. However, that does not mean it is to be followed for the rest of eternity.

• Allow yourself to be flexible and adjust processes as and when required.
• Empower your staff to reach out in case they feel burdened by overly complicated workflows.
• And, if you can’t explain why the processes need to be followed, it’s time for a change.

3. Look for Opportunities to Innovate

One innovation is enough to change the world.

Innovation and creativity are the difference between a profitable company and an industry leader. Process innovation can be just as valuable to an organisation as product innovation. All it needs a visionary leader.

And that leader can be you.

By pursuing credible strategy certifications online, you can learn how to lead, manage, motivate, inspire, and empower. One such online course you can rely on for expert guidance is the strategic management program from XLRI. This course covers the A-Z of strategic management and leadership, allowing you to learn practical application on top of theoretical knowledge. This can be an added advantage in the job market.

4. Embrace the Changing Leadership Principles

Leaders and managers are often confused with one another. However, they are very different individuals. A company may require several managers to run the place, but only one leader is enough to make all the difference.

Honing your leadership skills can help you inspire others and follow your lead. The ideal and cost-effective way to hone your leadership skills is by working on them. So enrol for a credible leadership and strategy certification that can help you do just that.

5. Stay Flexible

Leadership is a slippery slope, which is why most leaders strict themselves from going off course. No matter how intrigued you are to follow a certain format; it is vital to maintain enough flexibility to offset the occasional surprise that is bound to arise every now and then.

By the same token, avoid micromanaging your team any more than required. It can harm the morale and productivity of your team.

6. Learn How to Motivate Your Team

A motivated and inspired team is an engaging and productive one. Learn how to keep your team motivated at all times, especially while they are encountering challenges. By motivating them, you can directly impact your company’s bottom line and have your team commit towards organisational goals and initiatives.

There is a lot you can gain from online leadership programs, so leverage these strategy certifications to the best you can. XLRI is offering one such online certification program you can rely on.

Boasting of LIVE & interactive learning combined with a comprehensive curriculum, the strategic management program from XLRI is considered the best in its class. By enrolling for this strategy certification, you are not only honing your skills but also showcasing your expertise to potential employers.

7. Manage Up

If you think managers and leaders are only required to manage down the organisational chart, you couldn’t be more wrong. It is just as important to manage up as it is to manage down.

Doing so can help you build a meaningful relationship with senior management, allowing you better to align the organisational goals and stakeholders’ expectations.

• Set up a regular meet and greets with your manager and stakeholders to understand their vision for the company.
• Communicate the same with your team.
• If possible, have your team meet with the senior management, it helps them feel important and recognised.

8. Become More Data-driven

Data is the new oil. Without leveraging data, no manager, leader, or organisation can grow.

So whenever you are assigned with a new project, the first thing you must do is determine the KPIs that the project is expected to impact. Once you have identified the KPIs, you can leverage data to benchmark the initial stage and set performance goals.

Without this data, it can be strenuous to understand and meet the business or project’s requirements. This is why several strategy certifications online are now including data analytics as a vital part of their curriculum. So rest assured, if you are aspiring to hone your skills or become more data-driven, strategy certifications are the ideal choice.

9. Work on Your Communication Skills

Whether you are working in sales, marketing, healthcare, manufacturing, or supply chain and logistics, communication skills are essential. These allow you to manage the expectations of your stakeholders and team members effectively.

Grab every opportunity you can to hone your communication and presentation skills as these are going to come handy at every organisation you work in.

How to Get Strategic Management Program from XLRI?

By gaining real, hands-on knowledge, you can set yourself onto the path to earning the experience you need to become a successful strategic leader. An ideal and cost-effective strategy program you can rely on is the strategic management program from XLRI.

Offered in collaboration with Talentedge, the strategic management program from XLRI can help you gain a well-rounded knowledge in strategic leadership and acquire market-ready skills, helping you jumpstart your career.

More Information:

What is Strategic Management and why you need it?

Advantages & Scope of the Strategic Management Course

Senior Executive Development CXO Programme by XLRI

How Strategic Management Helps Achieve Company Goals?

Career Prospects & Job Opportunities after Strategic Management

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