HR Leader’s tips for improving leadership and management skills

Being open-minded to new ideas can make a significant difference when it comes to forging strong leadership qualities.

Our very own editor at HR Leader, Shandel McAuliffe joined sister brand The Adviser's Annie Kane to discuss what makes a good leader and ways to better your managerial capabilities.

Ms McAuliffe said: “I think there's a danger that the further along you go in your career, the more you think that, ‘I've been there, I've seen that. I know how to do this. And this is the way to do it.’ I think it's so important to always be open to new ways of doing things, especially as younger people come into the workforce.”

Ms McAuliffe notes that being receptive to new ideas and adapting as a leader is crucial to being successful.

Training is important, however personal initiative should be taken to undergo skills improvement instead of waiting for your organisation to train you.

“Looking at your own skill set and thinking, ‘where can I seek training there?’ There's a danger with learning, of expecting the business to hand it to you. And especially in a leadership role, it's not going to happen. You have to seek it out yourself. And you have to be responsible for your own career,” explained Ms McAuliffe.

“I did some courses through the CIPD, and I did one on coaching, which was a phenomenal experience. And I would say to any leader, it's an amazing skill to have if you can learn about coaching. Find those niche leadership skills and start to develop that way, because it'll help you in the conversations you're having with people.”

Ms McAuliffe said that by honing your skill set “you'll have more in your toolkit, for dealing with difficult conversations and difficult situations. And also, learn off each other.”

Listening and sharing are two important managerial skills that Ms McAuliffe says will help leaders thrive: “You can share some things. Talk to each other,” she commented.

“And listen to everyone. It's not just about people that you maybe look up to. It could be someone who's completely new to the workforce with a completely different idea on how to do something.”

Outsourcing can also be an effective way to reduce stress and play to people’s strengths.

“I had my own business several years ago, and one of the things I learned was to outsource the things that you don't like doing, and that you're not good at … I hated doing my own bookkeeping and accounting. That was something I should've given to someone else,” stated Ms McAuliffe.

She added: “Let's put leadership and managing people in that bucket as well, and get someone who loves it and can do it well. Because your team will thrive as a result of that.”

The transcript of this podcast episode, when quoted above, was slightly edited for publishing purposes. The original The Adviser podcast article can be found here.