LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
16 Effective Ways to be a Better Leader
CLED 700
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Ministry Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries
By
Henry Edwin Shikuku
Lynchburg, Virginia
10/2022
16 Effective Ways to be a Better Leader
A leader is called so because s/he has followers. If you cannot get your team to follow you,
probably because of a conflict or mistrust, it is time to evaluate if you really are a leader.
No leader is perfect, but there are effective ways to improve leadership. If you want to be a
better leader so you can earn the commitment of your team, then learn from these tips:
1. Be a role model.
Your integrity is one deciding factor whether your team will trust you or not. People want
to follow leaders who are an example of having a good character—because that is what
everyone wants to attain. Therefore, be a good model in terms of actions, speech, works, and
relating with others.
2. Walk your talk.
If you want your followers to take you seriously, then you need to show your people that
you are serious with your directions or commands by doing them yourself. For instance, you
cannot convince them to come on time if you always arrive in the office an hour late.
3. Lead by demonstration.
The best way to lead is by showing your followers how to do things. However, giving them
instructions is not always enough to get your people to accomplish your expected results. Most
of the time, you have to execute them first so they will clearly see that the task is doable, and if
you can do it, they can do it too.
4. Be approachable.
The best strategy to make people follow you is not an iron fist but a relationship. Yes, you
have to be firm in terms of following policies, but being kind and approachable will not make
you less of an effective leader. You should be a leader they can talk to without fear whenever
they have concerns or need help in their jobs.
5. Know your members/employees by name.
What would you feel if you found out that the country’s president knew you by name? It
would make you adore him, right? Likewise, calling your team members on a first-name basis
will help you win their hearts. It will make them feel valued as a person—not just a tool to
accomplish your goals—so they are more likely to support you wholeheartedly.
6. Do not be too strict.
Too much sternness will drive your people away—and one day, you would catch them
talking against you behind your back or even planning to petition your replacement. But, on the
other hand, if it does not affect the quality of their work, you do not have to be too strict about
it, or else you would appear unreasonable to your team. So, for example, knowing how
uncomfortable it is, why do the ladies wear high heels if they have to stand and walk around
the office most of the time?
7. Praise in public.
If someone in your team has accomplished his/her job excellently, then appreciating that
person in front of everybody will boost his/her morale. It will motivate him/her and the rest of
your members to give their best always.
8. Correct in private.
On the other hand, if someone commits a mistake, do not embarrass the person in front of
the team. Instead, talk to him/her in private, and make it confidential. This will keep that
employee or member from humiliation, which may discourage him/her from working
enthusiastically.
9. Give rewards for a job well done.
Another effective way to keep your organization on fire is by setting up a reward system.
The more attractive the prize is, such as international travel for two for the top-selling agent by
the end of the year, the more energized your team will be. You might worry about how much it
would cost your company, but imagine how much more profit you would gain if all your
employees worked harder.
10. Put yourself in your downline’s shoes.
If you really want to know how you can be a better leader to your team, then put yourself
in their position. As an employee or team member, what would you need from your leader?
How would you want to be treated? What is your ideal kind of leader?
11. Bond with your team.
Bonding or having fun with your team from time to time will help you build a relationship
with them. You could be a friend without losing your authority over them. A more personal and
genuine friendship with your members will help you gain their loyalty.
12. Encourage and appreciate suggestions.
One way to show your team members or employees that you value them is by being open
to their ideas. Allow them to participate in decision-making by involving them in the planning of
your organization or company. Moreover, this is advantageous for you as well since
brainstorming with more heads can generate more ideas.
13. Admit mistakes and apologize for them.
You may be a leader, but you are still a human, so you still commit errors. Admitting your
mistakes and apologizing for them are not signs of weakness. Rather, they are signs of humility,
which only mature and brave leaders can do.
14. Show them you sincerely care.
Another way of being a better leader to your team is by genuinely caring about them. Aside
from knowing them by name, you can show this by asking how they are individually and
offering help whenever they need it, and you can.
15. Treat everyone fairly.
Favoritism is one of the killers of a harmonious organization. Treat all your members
equally by giving them the same privileges and not exempting anyone from the rules. If you are
connected to some of them personally, remind them that you are professionals whenever you
are in the workplace, and the familiarity should be left outside the door.
16. Serve them.
Serving your followers will not only encourage them to return the favor gladly, but it will
teach them to be passionate and selfless in their work. Just like how Jesus washed the feet of
his disciples, you can show them what servant-leadership means—which is leading to serve the
common good.
Signs God is Leading You Somewhere Else
1. Being redirected
2. New doors and opportunities
3. No more provision
4. Shift of passion
5. Beckoning desire to move
6. No way back
7. Unavoidable circumstance
8. Situation requires
9. Failure
10. Confirmation through a godly counsel
