So many of you will know I often say “Who you are in how you lead!” It’s a mantra I share a lot and for good reason because it’s 100% true. Another way of saying it is that “leadership comes from the inside out.”
I’m prompted to share this with you today because it’s the beginning of the year and I want to encourage you to reflect on who you are and how you’re going to lead this year. Take a minute to stop and ask yourself these three questions about your leadership;
- What are you going to continue doing?
- What are you going to stop doing? and most importantly
- What are you going to start doing?
Go on, stop reading and answer these questions, just one thing for each is enough for now! This will help you sit with your leadership more comfortably for yourself and those you lead. You know when you’re in the presence of a leader – you feel comfortable, at ease, respected, connected and valued. This is what I want for you. Leadership is an everyday thing for all of us, so it makes sense to become as consciously aware of yourself as you can. And everyone benefits.
More to come in a future blog post, but here’s a heads up for you. Two books have got my hear t racing in recent times. The first is Ben Crowe’s new release, Where the light gets in and the other is Neale Daniher’s The power of choice. I hear from others they are both life changers so check them out if this resonates.
Here are 5 ways we know work for those of you wanting to lead yourself better.
1. Become more self aware. Identify what your strengths are – what are you really good at? What are your strengths? And with this comes the opposite, what are you not so good at? Start reflecting on who you are, what your default style is and how you show up.
2. Deepen connection. This is with yourself and with others. Take time to really connect and get to know yourself and others. Connect with others via heart and then head – feeling and then thinking.
3. Be kind. Speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others. Go with strengths and positives first every time.
4. Know your values. Really get to know your values and lean into and live them. They are your guideposts for life and will help you stay on track to being your best self.
5. Take note of others. Other people give insights into who we are and how we lead everyday. Watch how they connect (or don’t) with you. Listen to what they share and say to you (or don’t). As leaders, how we think of ourselves matters and so does how others see and think of us.
Over to You
Take some time to think about what you’re going to do in the next couple of weeks and get cracking. Ohhh and if you haven’t, scroll back up and answer the three questions above!
