Do you enjoy coaching and teaching others? Can you actively listen to others who have problems or need guidance? Do you have the characteristics to be an effective leader? In her book The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women, author and business coach Gail McMeekin discusses how being an effective leader can help employees stay motivated and maximize efficiency. According to McMeekin, effective leaders exhibit the following characteristics:

1. Integrity. You must be trustworthy and honest to have any credibility.

2. Hiring and firing effectively. Your team is counting on you to recruit the best talent for the group. You must hire people who have both the ability and the willingness to do the job well.

3. Communication. You must keep your team apprised of all the factors that could potentially impact their jobs.

4. Coaching skills. You must be able to challenge your people, provide a positive perspective, and coach them through the obstacles.

5. Creativity — making or inventing something new. A recent survey of CEOs cited creativity as the most vital skill of 21st-century leadership. Do not be afraid to innovate and experiment.

6. Share the money trail with your team. Too many managers do not educate their team about profit and loss statements, return on investment, and cost-saving measures. Spell out the details for them and get them engaged in increasing revenue and reducing costs, while still providing quality products and services.

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