A Good Leader: The Keytone Of Interpersonal Development

However, merely knowing who people are is not enough to cement a solid team. Empathizing with followers is critical to understanding their perspectives on work and life, their motivations, and their skills and limitations (Daft, 2015, p. 151). One must also understand one’s own interactions with the staff and manage those relationships. For example, a Facility Manager whose work supervisor always seems to be opposing him or her should look for the reasons why that is and try to resolve or come to an understanding with the employee about that friction. True resolution may be impossible, but understanding the roots of the situation will make difficult relationships much easier to manage. All of this interpersonal knowledge is vital to help a leader form a team that will work as a unit toward common understood goals.
The keystone of interpersonal development is respect. To be effective, a leader must be respectful and respected. Being respectful is not about being popular, but it should mean that the leader is kind and understanding as much as possible. This friendliness must be genuine and given willingly in order to have meaning. A good leader truly appreciates his or her followers and their skills and good qualities. He or she makes this appreciation known regularly and

Good leaders acknowledge when work tasks are difficult or frustrating but don’t let it bring them or their team down because they are able to envision and convey the reason for what they’re doing. They can deploy humor, including dark humor, to lighten the mood even when things are not going well. Even in the face of challenges, good leaders will keep a positive outlook. Above all, they will lead by positive example. The most effective leaders must create and exemplify a culture where doing the best work and going above and beyond even when confronted by obstacles is the norm