Whether you are a business owner, a C-suite executive, a teacher, or a parent – the list goes on and on –  you are in a leadership position. There are individuals in your world who look to you for guidance, advice, or mentorship. A leader takes on a great deal of responsibility to ensure that she is leading her subordinates, followers, or team members in the right direction.

As a leader grows in his role, it is important to continue to refine and fine-tune leadership skills. While helping others to grow, leaders must also make sure that they are continuing to grow themselves.

Here are a few things you can do to become a better leader…

Encourage Open Communication

The best way to understand what your people need or want from you, is to engage with them — create an open line of communication. By doing so, you will learn how you can serve your people at a higher level. Additionally, promoting this type of communication will help to build trust between you as the leader and the rest of the organization, as well as increase overall team morale.

Personal and Professional Growth

A leader should always be feeding his knowledge, stretching his limits, and learning new skills such that he can become the best of the best. In order to lead others, you must be well equipped with the knowledge and self confidence to do so. That knowledge and self confidence will come from reading books, attending webinars, joining mastermind groups with like-minded individuals, seeking advice from other leaders in your industry, and more. Personal and professional growth is probably the most important thing you can do to become a better leader — and a better person altogether!

Hire a Coach

Whether you are starting fresh in your leadership role, or you have been there for a while now, there is always room for improvement. However, sometimes you might not know exactly where you need help, or perhaps it is one of those ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ situations. In this case, it may be time to consider getting a coach. Now, hiring a coach does not mean that you are incapable of doing your job. Rather, a coach will help you to uncover any blindspots that may be blocking you from reaching your full potential as a leader. On a personal note, I have had many coaches in my life and I can tell you that without them, I would not be where I am today. 

No matter what type of leadership role you are in, you have the ability to make a dramatic impact on other people’s lives. I encourage you to take this role seriously and become the best you can be!