9 Ways to Become a Better Leader From encouraging dissenting voices to showing compassion, here are tips for leading with purpose and poise.

Encourage employees to disagree with you.
Companies get into trouble when everyone is afraid to speak truth to power. "If all you hear is how great you're doing, that should be a danger sign," says executive coach Ray Williams.

Don't micromanage.
Empower the people below you, then leave them alone. "A good part of leadership is stepping back," says Bill Pasmore, senior vice president at the Center for Creative Leadership. "A good leader leads from front and back."

When people err, don't destroy them.
But make sure they learn whatever lessons there are to be learned from their mistakes.