It was nerve-wracking to direct a project for the first time. Quarantine had barely started when I found out the leadership position I had so heavily anticipated would occur online. I felt as if I had no prior experience in a position of authority, and the only setting where I could imagine a leader existing was in the workplace.
However, all it took was a shift in mindset for my anxiety to die down. Leaders do not simply reside in in-person workspaces. Leaders are everywhere. Adults might be the leaders of the house, making sure the kids are safe and making the right decisions. The principal might be the leader of the school. Children frequently take leadership positions in their clubs at school.
I envisioned a scenario where I might see a leader take charge. Then, I considered what characteristics this individual might possess. When someone possesses power, what kind of qualities make it so that they are a fair leader? I decided I’d break the fundamental aspects of being a good leader into a few main categories.
Making Voices Heard
A good leader, in any setting, makes it a priority to listen to the members of their team. Just because you hold power over others doesn’t mean you should stop valuing their opinions. Those who are being led must feel comfortable sharing their ideas and conversing with everyone – including their leader. An environment should be created where individuals can express themselves and voice their concerns freely.
Avoiding Micromanagement
Micromanagement causes individuals to feel like someone is breathing down their necks so to speak, and it frequently promotes stress and overwhelms. Going back to this idea of the environment – having a space where those who are being led feel peaceful and excited is key to building a successful team. Members should not feel like there is a threat to their individuality so to speak, and their unique ideas should be freely expressed and wholeheartedly taken into consideration.
Being Open to Change
Leaders are okay with things going in a different direction, as life is unpredictable, and sometimes things won’t go as planned. A good leader invites change and unpredictability at times, as sometimes it is needed to promote growth and prosperity. Members must feel comfortable speaking out when they see even a minor problem or believe that taking things in a different direction will come to the team’s benefit.
Hopefully, by now it is clear to you that anyone can be a leader. It may be something as little as deciding to promote change through an Instagram story post or as grand as organizing a major protest on campus.
In terms of leading in a virtual setting, just think about all the ways you would lead a team in an in-person environment, and follow your gut. As long as you keep these three major points in mind, you’ll definitely be a leader that members of your team love working with.
