Leadership roles are vital to the success of any organization, and it goes without saying that companies are always on the lookout for people who have good leadership skills to help them achieve their overall objectives. Unfortunately, many individuals are not very confident with the skills that they have and as a result, career growth opportunities continue to evade them. The solution to this is simply to learn and develop certain leadership qualities. It is not rocket-science and in fact, the concepts are very simple. The challenge mainly is to be able to apply these every day until such time they become a part of you.

Below are the top three qualities that every effective leader possesses:

Quality #1: Action-Orientation

A leader must have a strong desire to make things happens. Being able to plan, implement, and execute is very important because in the corporate world, many factors could trigger people to be ineffective, especially when they procrastinate all the time. Leaders are reliable and take accountability for everything that involves the responsibilities given to them by their superiors. They are always “on the go,” full of energy and enthusiasm to get things moving.

While many others are busy doing non-work related activities, leaders get the job done. They work hard and they work smart because they feel fully responsible for the outcome.

To become action-oriented, use the following suggestions:

1.Be quick in making decisions, instead of wasting time mulling over trivial matters.

2.Always see the positive side of things.

3.Be cheerful in performing your tasks.

4.Make use of your time wisely to get more out of it.

5.Act, act, and act.

Quality #2: Influence

Leaders are people who can convince others to believe in their ideas and opinions. They can create change with a goal of improving the current situation. To learn how to influence others is not easy, but Dale Carnegie has outlined some great tips on how you can do this.

1.Respect other people’s thoughts and opinions.

2.Listen with your eyes, heart, and ears.

3.Steer clear of arguments, and never try to win them.

4.See it from their point of view.

5.Encourage and give sincere compliments.

6.Make others feel valued.

7.Do not boss around.

Quality #3: Commitment

One of the qualities that can truly set leaders apart from the rest is their commitment. When effective leaders make a commitment, they stand by it no matter what. While some of us will easily give up when faced with hardships and challenges, a leader will face these head on with no signs of backing down. They know that they are perceived as role models of their team and they always do their best to set a good example by staying committed to their objectives and goals.

To show commitment, you should:

1.Adhere to company policies and standards

2.Complete tasks on or before the deadline

3.Help your team members in performing their tasks and improving their performance

4.Continue to hone your skills and capabilities

Professionalism comprises a set of behaviors that makes a person behave in an appropriate manner in the workplace. A person who shows professionalism consistently is regarded well among colleagues and superiors because of the following reasons:

1. It builds credibility. A person with a high level of professionalism is honest and hard working, which make it easier for others to deem him trustworthy.

2. It shows good work ethics. These people do not let personal issues affect them at work; they exert a lot of efforts when working on every task handed out to them to ensure excellent outcomes even when they are at their worst times.

3. It increases productivity. People who are professional do not waste time doing senseless things in the office. They manage their time wisely to ensure completion of tasks without comprising the quality of their outputs.

Indeed, professionalism will give others a better perception of you. As you probably know, how others see you is very important. If you are often thought of as a person who does not exert enough effort in doing your job, you are placed at a disadvantage because this means that they are not convinced in you and your ability to contribute to the success of the business. On the other hand, if they see you as someone who is highly professional in the way you carry yourself at work, it means that they trust you and look up to you as a role model in the company.

How does a person show professionalism at work?

Never come to work late. A professional is always punctual, whether it is a regular day at work, a meeting, or a business dinner. Tardiness can seriously hurt your image.

Treat others with respect. It does not matter if it is the CEO or a lowly employee- you have to respect them and treat them well.

Do not be too personal in the workplace. Being overly friendly and showing emotional weaknesses are not going to help in making you become professional. When everybody else knows most of the details of your personal life then you are not showing signs of professionalism at all.

Admit mistakes and be accountable. In the same way that you always exert your best efforts at work, do not be afraid to admit to your mistakes too and commit to doing a better job next time.

Also, it is worth mentioning that one of the things that are very indicative of professionalism is the way you dress. You have to dress appropriately. You cannot expect others to see you as someone who is professional if you wear sloppy clothes in the office. Again, remember that how others see you matters a lot. Make sure to choose what you wear carefully; crisp, neat, and smart-looking clothes can boost your professional image.