Confidence is a key trait that distinguishes effective leaders from those who struggle in their roles. When leaders are confident, they inspire trust and respect in their team members, leading to improved performance, better communication, and a more positive work environment. However, developing confidence as a leader is not always easy, especially for those new to the role or lacking prior experience.

So, what are the basic leadership skills that new leaders need to develop in order to feel confident in their roles? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Active Listening

Leaders who listen actively are able to understand their team members’ needs, concerns, and ideas. This enables them to make informed decisions, offer guidance and support, and build trust with their team. Active listening involves not only hearing what others say but also paying attention to their tone of voice, body language, and emotions.

2. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes and understand their perspective. Leaders who are empathetic are better able to relate to their team members, build relationships, and create a positive work environment. This involves not only acknowledging others’ feelings but also showing that you care about their well-being.

3. Communication

Effective communication is essential for building trust, promoting collaboration, and achieving shared goals. Leaders who communicate clearly and effectively can better articulate their vision, provide feedback, and inspire their team members. This involves speaking clearly and concisely, asking questions, listening actively, and providing feedback.

4. Teamwork

Leaders who foster teamwork are better able to create a positive work environment, build trust, and achieve shared goals. This involves not only assigning tasks but also encouraging collaboration, facilitating communication, and recognizing individual contributions.

5. Delegation

Effective delegation is essential for empowering team members, building trust, and achieving shared goals. Leaders who delegate effectively are better able to leverage their team members’ strengths, build their skills, and achieve better results. This involves assigning tasks, providing clear instructions, setting expectations, and providing feedback.

Developing these basic leadership skills can help new leaders feel more confident in their roles. But how can they begin to develop these skills? Here are some exercises that can help:

1. Active Listening Exercise

Find a friend or colleague and have a conversation with them. Set a timer for 5 minutes and challenge yourself to actively listen to everything they say without interrupting. After the conversation, summarize what they said to ensure you understand.

2. Empathy Exercise

Think of a difficult situation one of your team members might face. Try to put yourself in their shoes and imagine how they might be feeling. Write down your thoughts and feelings about the situation and use this to guide your interactions with them.

3. Communication Exercise

Write a short email to a colleague or team member. Read it out loud to yourself before sending it to ensure it’s clear and concise.

4. Teamwork Exercise

Identify a task that you could delegate to a team member. Choose someone with the skills and interest to take it on and provide clear instructions and support as needed.

As a leader, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with the role. By completing my Master’s in leadership, I learned how to listen better, be empathetic, communicate, facilitate teams, and delegate. These skills have increased my confidence as a leader and helped me build stronger relationships with my teams and my family and achieve better results.

In summary, confidence is a crucial component of effective leadership. By developing basic leadership skills like active listening, empathy, communication, and teamwork, new leaders can start to build the confidence they need to lead effectively. Try the exercises above and see how they can help you become a more confident and effective leader.