How To Be An Effective Leader in Two Simple Steps

By Hana Sheikh

If you casually ask me what a leader is, I'd say that they lead others. It’s the classic definition, the role rooted in its name itself. However, when asked on a deeper level, I'd say that a respectable leader is someone who knows what their people need, someone who is willing to listen, and most importantly, someone who can empathise with others. 

As the eldest child in the family, I always strive to be a democratic leader; one that is willing to listen and involve every member when making a decision. Growing up, I made sure that my younger siblings had a say, whether we were deciding on what to eat for dinner or choosing a family movie to watch together.

Therefore, to be a good leader, I believe that one should be ready to listen. 

If you see the world around you, you'll notice that most leaders today can speak, but I'll ask: can they listen? Unfortunately, most people today miss out on the importance of listening. They are so caught up with wanting to get their points and commands across that they fail to consider the thoughts of others around them. That’s not a leader, that’s a dictator. 

A good leader, on the other hand, is always willing to listen, so that they know when and what to speak. Listening is not just a passive act, but it’s an intentional skill that enables leaders to understand their team deeply before responding. According to a Forbes article, leaders should aspire to create space for their team members to express themselves and genuinely listen to their thoughts, concerns and ideas. When a leader listens first, they gain clarity about the emotions and the unspoken concerns behind the words, showing team members that their voices are valued.

Another essential value a leader should have is empathy. Leaders today avoid being empathetic because they fear appearing weak in front of others. Due to the fast-paced, result-driven nature of modern workspaces, emotional connection is often seen as a distraction rather than a strength. Additionally, individualistic culture promoted by modern society tends to discourage vulnerability and genuine human connections, which are the key components of empathy. 

In reality, a good leader allows themselves to be aware of other people’s feelings and expresses a willingness to sit with them to understand them better. Being able to foster such understanding as well as build relatability and resonance with others would make leaders appear more admirable and respectable. 

Now that we know the vital qualities to becoming a good leader, how does one develop those qualities exactly? 

Firstly, a leader should practice active listening. When your team members are speaking, give them your full attention, ask questions and give them space to think for them to share more. In addition, make sure that you are always learning by reflecting from others’ critiques. Just because you are a leader doesn’t mean you know everything. Listen to feedback, make mistakes, and learn from them. It's okay to make mistakes, but make sure to stand back up stronger. As Oprah Winfrey once said, “So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground.”

Meanwhile, to build empathy, a leader should understand different perspectives and opinions, expressing compassion and kindness while engaging in understanding one's own emotions and others. A good leader should also create an empathetic culture around them by leading an example in daily life, encouraging open communication where team members are comfortable to engage their thoughts and emotions in and providing them support, whenever and wherever they need. 

By practicing these skills, I believe one can be a respectable figure that can lead people in the future,  إن شاء الّ (if Allah wills it)*

*inshallah in Arabic