Engaging with staff is key to good leadership

Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Engaging with staff is key to good leadership

Management and business expert, Shaf Rasul, says that leading by example is the best way to get the most out of a team.

The Dragons’ Den Online dragon and judge at this year’s Orange Leader of the Year Awards has revealed his tips for great leadership. He claims that he is a firm but fair leader and manager and that, as a result, his staff are motivated and loyal.

The importance of a leader’s listening skills is another area that Rasul underlines. He said, "I take on board what all my staff are saying. We have regular meetings and I just wouldn’t expect somebody to do something that I wouldn’t do myself."

Rasul suggests that staff are usually very effective at coming up with ideas on how to enhance a business, providing leaders are willing to listen and give them a platform for their ideas. If staff feel like their ideas count, they will have a much greater sense of involvement and responsibility for the success of a business.

Rasul’s comments follow a report by Reabur HR consultancy, which found that one in five workers in the UK feel they are bullied by their boss. Some 28 per cent said they felt picked on by colleagues.

learndirect training courses can help to develop management and leadership skills within a business. The benefits of this type of staff training can help those running a business to optimise their performance and engage with their staff.

Explore learndirect's Team Leading and Management NVQs.