In the lead...

What does it take to be a good leader? I was recently assigned as the lead System Engineer on a major project, and while hesitant at first, i've enjoyed the role so far (although i may think differently once the deadline nears!!). As the lead technical authority on all aspects of system development, my role is fairly well-defined on paper...but HOW to do the job WELL is not always so clear. I've come up with a few tips, which can be applied to any position where you have to lead a team. Some of them are common knowledge, but are sometimes hard to put into practice....

- Know your people. Understand what makes them tick. What motivates them? Understand their personalities. Some people are NATURALLY loud and outspoken. Make sure you understand their message. I've seen two people who were in agreement, but left a meeting in apparent "disagreement" just because they were offended by how each other spoke to them.

- Know yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. People will notice. Some people think that being a good leader means being kinda loud and outspoken. I'm a fairly "quiet" person...in the sense that i don't have the loudest voice in the room. I like to listen, but I will express my opinions when necessary.

- Boost people's egos. People like to know their suggestions or opinions are valued. Something as simple as "That's a very good point, i didn't even think of that" goes a long way. But be SINCERE. If you don't agree with them, that's OK...just be prepared to say why you don't agree. This really helps when you have to say no to someone.

- Take a position, even in the face of uncertainty. Rarely do you have ALL of the information to make a decision - so why sit on the fence? Take a position and be prepared to defend it with reason. However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't be open to feedback.

Of course this list isn't the be all end all. Heck...there are countless books and people who claim they KNOW what it takes to be a good leader. But what can you say from your OWN personal experience?