Want to be a better leader? Supervisors and managers up and down the country are fully aware of the importance of strong management in building a solid team. The issue is that so many of us simply don’t have the time to invest in improving our own leadership skills.

The truth of the matter is that it isn’t through exploring new technical tools that we are truly able to develop ourselves as a leader - it is through our natural ability to relate with those we manage. Above everything else, leadership is a formalised process of inspiring individual goals in-line with overall vision. At the heart of it is a need to relate with real people in order to encourage them to work to their best possible potential in a way that benefits and organisation.

All jargon aside, in order to develop as a leader you need to work on how you establish human relationships with your colleagues and the people you lead. That normally has to come from a place of altering how you approach interactions with people as a whole.

For leaders who want to do the best for their team but might not have a great deal of time to invest in courses, here are some simple ways that you can help yourself become a better leader:

1. Focus on personal improvements.

Anybody who's ever had children is likely to attest to the power of positive reinforcement of desired behaviours. Now, we aren’t saying that you should treat colleagues like your children, however by taking note of any personal improvements and praising them, you will also be encouraging people to strive towards doing more of these things. Focussing on the positives rather than the negatives is always the way to go.

2. Stop complaining about people.

Complaining about people is not only toxic to their view of their own abilities but can also affect how you feel too. Criticising your staff for mistakes is a sure fire way to knock both of your motivation. All negative issues should be addressed from a perspective of your ordinary expectations.

3. Actively listen to and be interested in people.

In order to feel motivated in what they are doing people are required to feel significant and listened too. Teach yourself to be a genuinely good listener and take interest into your staff member’s lives/situations. Listen, and show that you listen by reflecting and saying “I understand, so you feel…” or “What I understand you’re saying is…”

4. Be sensitive towards people's insecurities.

In general, people do not react well to be made to look a fool in front of their peers. If you want to truly keep them on your side, be sensitive of their insecurities when you approach mistakes or issues.

5. Be honest about your own mistakes.

One of the best things you can do is a leader is to humble yourself and admit when you are personal wrong. It sets a precedent of humility that allows personal growth in a way that others will follow

6. Listen and endeavour to understand each person’s opinion.

Having a closed-minded view of a situation helps nobody. Even if you are sure that your way is the right way, trying to understand others’ viewpoints is the perfect way to help sidestep potential personality clashes and encourage collaborative values within your organisation.

7. Believe in people and show them that you do

Genuine belief in a person’s ability is the best way to inspire greatness. Set the bar high and tell your team the reason is because you believe in their ability, taking time to reiterate points when they personally have succeeded and motivating them to be all they can be. After all, the heart of a good leader is somebody who doesn't boss people around but inspires them to be the best they can be, in-line with the wider vision and goals.