![\"Superman](\"https:\/\/www.customerservicemanager.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/super.jpg\")
\nWhen you ask yourself this question, does your brain bring up flashes of Steve Jobs? Satya Nadella? Bill Gates? Ghandi? Nelson Mandela?<\/p>\n
The Fortune Global 500 list of the World\u2019s Greatest Leaders includes influencers like Tim Cook, Marc Benioff, Oprah Winfrey and Mary Barra.<\/p>\n
And while we might be pushing it if we think we\u2019re going to follow in Tim Cook\u2019s footsteps – who recently brought his company to the $1 Trillion Milestone<\/a> \u2013 it doesn\u2019t hurt to flashback to our preschool teacher who likely told us to \u201cshoot for the stars\u201d after we excitedly relayed our future occupational plans.<\/p>\n The reality of it is that we\u2019re all leaders in our own way. We may have some of the same overarching qualities that most exceptional leaders are considered to have \u2013 an open, honest communication style, the ability to motivate, a value-based decision-making process; earned trust, etc.<\/p>\n However, there is certainly a difference between an average leader and a great one. Here are the characteristics that set a great leader apart from the rest.<\/p>\n The Ability to Deliver Bad News <\/strong><\/p>\n Nobody likes receiving bad news \u2013 and nobody likes being the bearer of bad news. But the business world isn\u2019t all cookies, unicorns and rainbows and doesn\u2019t consist of strictly raises, bonuses, never-ending revenue growth and promotions.<\/p>\n Bad news is unavoidable and inevitable.<\/p>\n As a respectable leader of a company, it\u2019s your job to relay that news to your team \u2013 whether it\u2019s client loss, a firing or value drop. Being open and honest and speaking with integrity with your team members will allow them to trust you and feel more connected to what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n So how exactly should you go about sharing bad news? There are a lot of considerations to make here and you should have a crisis communication plan in place just in case one is needed, but generally, keep it simple and get to the point.<\/p>\n Think of it like a Band-Aid \u2013 quick and effective to minimize the pain. As a child, your parents wouldn\u2019t take off your bandage little by little. They\u2019d rip it off in one swift movement, whether you expected it or not, and the worst of it was over in an instant. While the pain of bad news might not be over as quick as that, it\u2019s better to have things out in the open, giving your employees a chance to ask questions and give their input.<\/p>\n In short, the best way to approach bad news is the same way you would good news. If you\u2019re appropriately positive and honest about the situation, your employees are more likely to feel more secure and less on edge, as well.<\/p>\n Promoting a Fun Work Culture <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Whoever said that all work and no play is the best way to promote productivity is terribly wrong. In fact, I believe fun in the workplace is a necessity. Not only do employees exhibit healthier habits when they enjoy their time at work and with each other, but they become more motivated and constructive as well.<\/p>\n As a leader, it\u2019s your responsibility to ensure there is some fun weaved into your work environment. Of course, you can\u2019t mandate fun, but providing a welcome attitude about it and promoting a fun office atmosphere will make everyone\u2019s day more pleasant.<\/p>\n Now don\u2019t think I\u2019m talking about those big-ticket items that employers showcase on their website, like ping-pong tables and karaoke sing-offs. \u00a0Simple enjoyments such as a Friday funday, office decorations, an afternoon office walk or snacks in the break room are all it takes to boost the environment.<\/p>\n In fact, a recent statistic<\/a> says that providing snacks or drinks can increase employee productivity by as much as 20%.<\/p>\n These niceties show your employees know you care – and that you want them to enjoy their time at work and you\u2019re making that extra effort to get them there.<\/p>\n Change in the Workplace <\/strong><\/p>\n Change is inevitable \u2026 and yet the ability to willingly adapt to change doesn\u2019t come easy to most. But, in today\u2019s world, change is everywhere and if leaders aren\u2019t able to keep up with the latest trends, they\u2019ll never succeed.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s consider the millennial generation in the workplace, for example. Between their short-term employment at multiple companies and their natural ability to work all-things-electronic, millennials are quite the opposite of the baby boomers that are currently running most companies.<\/p>\n As a leader, it\u2019s important to work with and be accepting of each generation\u2019s trends instead of thinking that everyone will respond the same way to one specific work-style. So, when a millennial is only at your company for two to three years, don\u2019t resist or get upset because you think they don\u2019t enjoy their work.<\/p>\n Instead, recognize this fast-moving trend and be understanding. Give them career advice in preparation for their next job or offer them the option of working remotely. The majority of the younger generation doesn\u2019t do their best work staying in one place for a long period of time, and that\u2019s okay. And remember, with change comes greater opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n \u00a0Negative Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n As the saying goes, out with the old in with the new.<\/p>\n In relation to leadership, it\u2019s time to replace our old negative characteristics with new, better and more positive ones. But before we can do that, we have to identify them.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s impossible to be the perfect leader, being aware of our areas for improvement and weak spots can get us one step closer. Too often leaders are blind to their bad habits and the consequences that follow are impactful.<\/p>\n Take Uber\u2019s scandal, for example. Just last summer the company fired over 20 of their employees, including the CEO after five chair members requested he step down. While it\u2019s likely he wasn\u2019t completely blind to the fact that there were some major issues going on within the company, there was one aspect he overlooked, which many leaders today are guilty of as well: self-awareness.<\/p>\n
![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/www.customerservicemanager.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Matthew-Bieber.jpg\")
<\/a>Matthew Bieber is the CEO of CDC Software, a provider of SaaS solutions that create real-time, events-based links between leading telephony systems, CRM systems and other mission-critical contact center data solutions. A strategic, business-minded thinker with over three decades of experience in customer care and technology, Bieber oversees and shapes CDC Software\u2019s product offerings by anticipating customer needs and innovating next-generation solutions to enable the delivery of unparalleled customer experiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"