How to Be a Leader in the Workplace
Some people naturally step up in tough situations, making quick decisions and guiding others through challenges. But leadership isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s a skill that anyone can develop with the right mindset and practice.
Being a strong leader can significantly impact your career. Leaders earn more trust, gain influence, and are often the first to be considered for promotions. Employers consistently rank leadership as one of the top soft skills they look for when hiring. Whether you aspire to be a manager, want to lead by example, or simply improve how you work with others, learning leadership skills is one of the best investments you can make in your professional growth.
Beyond career benefits, leadership is deeply rewarding. Great leaders inspire teams, create positive change, and help others reach their full potential. If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills and stand out in the workplace, you’re in the right place.
The Importance of Leadership in the Workplace
Strong leadership is what keeps businesses running smoothly. Whether you’re managing a team or working alongside your peers, leadership plays a crucial role in workplace success.
How leadership makes a difference
- Boosts productivity & efficiency: Leaders create structure, set clear goals, and help teams stay on track. Employees who feel guided and supported work more effectively.
- Improves communication: Good leaders make sure that information flows smoothly, reducing misunderstandings and keeping everyone aligned with company goals.
- Strengthens employee engagement: Employees who feel valued and inspired by leadership are more engaged, motivated, and likely to stay with the company long-term.
- Encourages innovation & collaboration: A strong leader fosters an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, leading to creative problem-solving and business growth.
- Shapes workplace culture: Employees look to leadership for cues on company values, ethics, and behavior. Leaders set the tone for a respectful and productive work environment.
No matter your job title, developing leadership skills can help elevate your career and create a more positive, productive workplace.
Consequences of Bad Leadership in the Workplace
Just as great leadership drives success, poor leadership can drag an organization down. When teams lack guidance or work under ineffective leaders, productivity suffers, morale drops, and turnover increases.
How poor leadership hurts the workplace
- Low employee morale & engagement: A lack of clear direction, support, or recognition makes employees feel undervalued, leading to disengagement and burnout.
- High turnover & retention issues: Employees are far more likely to leave a company when they don’t respect or trust its leadership. The cost of replacing an employee can be twice their annual salary—a major financial drain for businesses.
- Decreased productivity & more mistakes: Without strong leadership, employees struggle to prioritize tasks, make decisions, and meet deadlines efficiently.
- Lack of innovation: If employees don’t feel encouraged or safe to share ideas, companies miss out on opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Reputation damage: Poor leadership leads to negative employee reviews, making it harder for businesses to attract top talent.
Bad leadership doesn’t just impact individuals—it creates a ripple effect that can harm the entire organization. Learning how to lead effectively can prevent these issues and set you up for long-term success.
How to Improve Your Leadership Skills
Even if leadership doesn’t come naturally, it’s a skill you can develop. The best leaders aren’t perfect, but they continuously learn, adapt, and improve.
Become a mentor
Great leaders lift others up. One of the best ways to grow as a leader is to mentor and support those around you.
- Help newer colleagues navigate challenges and offer guidance.
- Provide constructive feedback that helps others improve.
- Build strong professional relationships by scheduling regular check-ins.
Mentorship strengthens your ability to communicate, motivate, and lead by example—essential skills for any strong leader.
Take leadership training & courses
Formal leadership training can help you build confidence, improve decision-making, and learn how to handle challenges like conflict resolution and team management.
Top-rated leadership courses:
- Practical Leadership Skills from Udemy
- Leading People and Teams from Coursera
Online courses let you learn at your own pace while equipping you with real-world leadership strategies.
Ask for feedback & learn from others
Great leaders actively seek feedback to improve. Ask trusted colleagues, managers, or mentors for their honest input on your leadership strengths and areas for growth.
- Be specific—ask about communication, decision-making, or teamwork.
- Listen openly and apply what you learn.
- Show appreciation for constructive criticism—it’s how great leaders improve.
Lead with integrity
Your reputation as a leader is built over time but can be damaged in an instant. Integrity, honesty, and accountability are non-negotiable qualities for effective leadership.
As one old saying goes, “A manager does things right. A leader does the right thing.” Can you differentiate between the two? Sometimes, doing the right thing brings no tangible benefit to you or your company. In some cases, it may even do some damage. But in the long run, the action that aligns with your principles and ethics is always the better move.
When people trust your judgment, they’re more willing to follow your lead.
Empower others instead of controlling
True leadership isn’t about micromanaging—it’s about inspiring action. The best leaders trust their teams, provide support, and encourage ownership of tasks.
Ways to empower your team:
- Delegate tasks that challenge employees and help them grow.
- Recognize and celebrate team achievements.
- Encourage open communication and collaboration.
Embrace failure as part of leadership
All great leaders have failed at some point—but they don’t let failure define them.
- Elon Musk’s first SpaceX rockets exploded before achieving success.
- Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first primetime anchor job.
- Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple before returning to revolutionize the company.
The best leaders take calculated risks and learn from mistakes. In the workplace, this could mean leading a high-stakes project, suggesting bold ideas, or stepping outside your comfort zone.
Final Advice on Becoming a Leader in the Workplace
Always keep working on education and improving your skills. It’s important to show your team members that you are willing to shift and adjust to change. Connect with other leaders and share best practices. Ask for feedback from your team members, peers, and higher-level managers. Utilize the tools we’ve shared in this article, and keep growing.
