Some people lead; other people follow. Followers can turn into leaders with the right advice. However, many don’t know how or what is required to lead. Few people have mastered the art of effective leadership. Keep reading to make the transformation from follower to leader.

Work hard at being approachable. Some people think that using fear and intimidation is a good way to lead. If you try to show that you are boss by striking fear in the heart of your subordinates, it will be next to impossible to earn their respect. Be kind, caring and compassionate instead.

Don’t do anything dishonest or shady. You need to follow through with promises in order to garner trust. When you promise great results, you must provide them.

Make sure people are motivated to perform well. Salary is not enough incentive to keep people motivated. If someone that’s working for you does more than they had to, let them know that you notice and give them something like a bonus. Top leaders know that this can be quite effective.

Don’t set unrealistic goals. An impossible goal is asking for failure. That will in fact prove you aren’t a good leader.

You will be judged by your subordinates on your decision making. How you delegate tasks and who you promote will affect everyone’s morale. If you favor any one employee, others will see that and morale will be reduced.

Take time every day to pay analyze what is going on in the workplace. Ask others to share their opinions as well. Be open to suggestions, discuss changes that should be made and work on fostering relationships.

Effective leaders understand their weaknesses and their strengths. When you’re overconfident, you will fail much easier. Identify your weaknesses and look for ways to improve them.

Own what you say. To be a good leader, you need to put your money where your mouth is. You’re the center of the company and what you say and do reflects them. If you have made missteps or errors, you must acknowledge them. You cannot expect other workers to fix these problems for you.

One of the best leadership skills to develop is listening to people who work under you. They can take your goals and ideas and take them in new directions that you would not have conceived yourself. Listen to them and use their thinking.

You must master the skill of writing effectively. Bold ideas and posturing may look impressive, but won’t get the job done. Your ability to effectively write can help you to present yourself well. If your writing is full of grammar or spelling errors, people may not take you seriously. Pay attention to how you write and communicate in other ways with your workers.

Now you’re better prepared to lead. Believing in yourself will convince others to believe in you also. Keep these tips in mind to become a great leader. You can achieve great things and also help others to accomplish it, too.