8 Steps to Strengthening Your Leadership Skills

8 Steps to Strengthening Your Leadership Skills8 Steps to Strengthening Your Leadership SkillsGreat leaders have many qualities in common They are strong communicators, adaptable, decisive and committed to learning. Strengthening your leadership skills can help you move toward a position of even greater responsibility in the accounting and finance field.Here are eight steps to help you abflug enhancing your leadership skills today1. Look to role modelsStart by identifying leadership traits your company values. Observe other company leaders you admire to evaluate their leadership skills and styles.For example, how do they interact with employees? Are they collaborative, including employees in decision-making? Are they heavier on the guidance, giving specific directions? Or do they practice a more hands-off type of leadership, allowing staff room to make decisions? Identifying common traits among current managers also allows you to identify possible leadership gaps in your organization .2. Find, or be, a beraterGreat leaders dont fly solo. Even as you reach the top of the profession, mentors can help you gain perspective, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and narrow your focus.However, you shouldnt expect a mentor to find you. Identifying the right mentor and asking him or her to work with you requires some planning and possibly stepping outside of your comfort zone.You can learn additional lessons, and hone your leadership skills, by becoming a great mentor yourself.3. Develop your soft skillsNontechnical skills, also commonly referred to as soft skills, including communication, adaptability and decisiveness, are pivotal for leaders. Focusing on your communication abilities, both verbal and written, will help you better convey your vision to others. Using social media insights and other tech developments, good leaders also need to be constantly tweaking their techniques. Staying ahead of emerging trends will help others in the company see you as a cutting-e dge leader.As soft skills continue gaining in importance for accounting and finance professionals, sharpening your abilities will provide aelendher benefit Youll be leading your team by example. Youll become who they model their behaviors after, reinforcing the work and professional development you expect from them.4. Continue learningLook for professional development opportunities, such as seminars, online classes and training programs to refine your leadership skills. Your company may be willing to pay enrollment fees, so be sure to ask if it offers reimbursement.If your firm isnt able to contribute to your education, consider paying for training yourself as a solid investment in your career. Even shorter forms of continuing education, such as webinars and podcasts, as well as books on business and leadership, can provide valuable information and outside perspectives you may not have considered previously.5. Ask for feedbackConstructive criticism and advice from colleagues, manage rs and mentors will help you grow as a professional working in the field of accounting and finance and build stronger leadership skills. Often, an objective opinion will allow you to see a view of yourself you didnt have before.Colleagues and managers can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and encourage you to build on both. Relying on your contacts for this type of feedback will also help you build trust and credibility - both essential leadership characteristics.6. Expand your outlookIn addition to adopting admirable qualities youve found in your fellow company leaders, identifying great leaders outside your company as well. Also look at those outside your industry to help you form a more complete picture of attributes to maintain.7. Stay in the knowStaying abreast of business trends can help you be seen as a thought leader in your company and the finance profession. Identifying resources for reliable information is important for this type of growth. Look for popular leadership blogs, industry newsletters, and business and economic development sources to broaden your perspectives.When you find relevant articles, share them with your colleagues. This has the dual benefit of establishing you as a resource for your contacts and highlighting your industry expertise.8. Cultivate your networkSomething else common to successful leaders is a wide network. You can start expanding your base of contacts by broadening your horizons within your own company.Dont overlook the value of social media as you work to build your connections, both inside and outside your organization, while also keeping in mind the value of in-person networking activities. Whether face-to-face or virtual, cultivate relationships to ensure your network grows not only wide, but deep as well.Remember that not every leadership style is going to be the same. Use the tips here to develop your own unique approach.Want more insights on how to succeed in your finance career, and build and ma nage a winning team? Subscribe to the Robert Half newsletterSUBSCRIBE NOWMore resources6 Qualities of Top-Notch Leaders See this post to find out what qualities many top managers use to bring out the best in their employees.Skills an Audit Manager Needs to Be a Successful Leader It is more important than ever for organizations to have a strong internal audit function - and skilled and experienced internal audit managers to lead it. Learn why in this post.Do Your Staff Management Skills Meet Your Teams Needs? Learn how to align your staff management strategy with the needs of your finance and accounting team using the advice in this post.