1. Autonomy – As an effective leader you will want to create a sense of autonomy that gives your people the feeling that they have your trust and permission to deliver their best work for the organization. You want them to be involved in setting their own targets, deciding their own stretch and planning their own development. You are confident enough that they will hold themselves accountable to you for what they have agreed to do.

2. Feedback – As an effective leader you will actively encourage, give and seek feedback that is thoughtfully given, gratefully received and confidently acted upon. The process must be transparent and two way, and built into an agile performance and development management and review system and approach. It should be a consistent part of regular 1 to 1 catch ups, and the quantity, quality and frequency of discussions and feedback is fundamentally important. It should cover innovation as well as achievement, effort as well as results.

3. Management – As an effective leader you will want to listen to and manage people in a way that brings out the best in them. Your purpose is to make people feel important and valued. You want to be part of a strong leadership team who are confident in coaching, mentoring and supporting your employees. Leaders should have, or develop, the skills to empower, support and coach their staff. Leaders should always be prepared to manage conflict effectively both with others and inside the leadership team.

4. Development – As an effective leader you will actively seek out or create development opportunities designed to give your employees the specific skills, knowledge, experience and clarity they need to do their job effectively. Your employees will thrive on the freedom to make decisions for themselves. Employee engagement at all levels should be driven from a deep learning culture where people can see rich opportunities to grow themselves as well as the business.

5. Environment – As an effective leader you feel responsible for creating an enjoyable, positive working environment where employee happiness is valued. You will regularly celebrate success, including recognizing effort as well as achievement. You will encourage a culture of problem solving and treat people with respect. You will operate recognition and reward systems that create flexible, open spaces which enable and support diversity of thought and opinion.

6. Performance management – As an effective leader you will have a regular ‘performance chat’ with your people, with in-the-moment feedback and a forward looking future focus. You will actively engage employees in the discussion of ‘hot topics’ and keep them informed as much as you can about core priorities and what’s coming up. You will seek out their perspective and actively use intelligence they have gathered to inform your strategic plans.

Source: Adapted from www.hrgrapevine.com April digital edition.