“If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever,” said Thomas Aquinas, an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church.

Leadership qualities can play a huge role in one’s career development. Technical skills and higher education can only get you here. If you are passionate to become an effective leader then you must obtain some essential skills that help you improve your listening and communication skills.

There are several core leadership qualities that are considered essential traits to help you become a more effective leader.

Here are some ways you can effectively improve your leadership skills:

Take the initiative:

Most bosses only assign employees to do the tasks they know they can do. That’s why it’s important to volunteer to take on more responsibilities while going above and beyond the current position. Focus on learning skills that are beyond your core knowledge.

Critical thinking:

To be hired for a high-profile job, you need to think critically. Good leaders can anticipate potential problems before they arise. You can also find ways to prevent problems. Good managers also recognize potential opportunities and use them to the benefit of the company and employees.

Effective Listening:

The skills of effective listening come along with effective communication skills. Well, effective listening is necessary whether you are presenting to a team, creating new business strategies or plans, or communicating with your clients and customers. When you listen to others, people start feeling valued. Without listening skills, you can’t get feedback from other people and find out what team members like about the project they’re working on.

Motivate others:

A true leader must have a positive influence on people. When employees or co-workers lose ambition and passion, a true leader can stimulate and motivate them. Sometimes people lose motivation from facing adversity, get tired of doing the same repetitive tasks, or get frustrated at not being asked to get involved. A good leader needs to pay attention to team members to see how they are performing, listen carefully, and allow them to be more involved in the process.

Continuous learning:

When things change quickly, it’s important to keep learning and challenging yourself. Study other leaders and their qualities, manners, and ways of communicating. While you don’t need to emulate other leaders, incorporate some of their traits into your style.

Moez Kassam Anson funds co-founder is one of the most well-known business leaders who also helps new executives understand the value of running a business. Moez Kasam Anson completed his independent studies in Greece, where he worked for the Athens Stock Exchange, where he also had the opportunity to teach, and later wrote articles about his experiences which were published.

Joyce Laroche