People often mistakenly believe that the true challenge of advancement in their career is the increased work load that comes with a new position. In fact, a far bigger hurdle for many is the difficulty that comes with assuming a leadership role. If you've become accustomed to working as a team or following someone else's vision, the leadership element of your new position may be the biggest challenge yet.
 
Some simple tips to build confidence as a leader, strengthen your team and come out on top:
 
Articulate your vision clearly. The fastest route to group chaos is
confusion. When a leader is unclear about the direction they want
their company or project to go, people will start to question this
person's effectiveness. If you know in advance that you will be taking
on more of a leadership role in your next position or project, make
sure that you carefully prepare for meetings with your staff. The goal
is to make sure that everyone is on the same page -- whether you are
making a movie, starting a company, or expanding an existing project.
 
Be organized. It may seem obvious, but this can be incredibly
difficult -- especially if your organization or project involves a lot
of moving parts. The key is to find a system or systems that work for
you. If you know already that keeping things organized is not your
strong suit, delegate tasks to someone who will be able to keep you
and your project on track. A reliable assistant or partner can make
all the difference, and successful allocation of tasks will build
confidence in your team when they see that you can handle the
responsibilities you have in front of you.
 
Be punctual. Again, this may seem like an easy thing, but reliability
is a must for building trust among your team. In order to be a
successful leader, your group needs to know that they can count on
you. Once doubt or disappointment sets in, you've lost a big part of
the battle. Keep in mind that you are accountable for both your team's
time and your own -- setting a good example lets them know that you
take your part seriously, giving them more incentive to take you
seriously as well.
 
Wherever possible, work with people you respect. As a leader, it is vital that you surround yourself with people whose work you truly
value. Filmmaking, for example, is very much a team effort, and
maximum contribution is needed by everyone in order to make the
project the best that it can be. When you are working with people
whose work you really respect, a comradery is created that people can feel. Ultimately, everyone will benefit in this kind of environment,
because the success of the project will be prioritized.
 
Listen to what your team is telling you. One of the most common
responses I get when I ask clients what they're looking for in their
next job is "an opportunity to be creative." People want to be able to
contribute in a meaningful way, and by truly listening to input from
members of your team, you are helping to foster an environment where that can happen. You may not agree with all of the suggestions you hear, but at the very least, being open to listen and acknowledge team member's ideas shows that you appreciate their contribution. And if people are comfortable talking to you, they are more likely to share their ideas -- who knows, one could just be the brilliant idea you
were searching for!
 
Acknowledge others' accomplishments. When was the last time an employer took the time to tell you how much they appreciate your hard work or that they thought you were doing a great job? You may think that a paycheck is the motivating factor, but acknowledgement of a job well done goes a long way toward retaining satisfied employees. Take a moment to recognize the contributions of your team and how important they've been to your project or company. If you are genuine with your praise, it will surely make a positive impact.

 

"You must look into other people as well as at them."
Lord Chesterfield