Leadership is not a destination, but a journey. It's a path that requires dedication, self-awareness, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. While some leaders are born, most are made. So, how does one embark on this journey to become an extraordinary leader?
Here are 16 action steps to guide you.
Decide to Become a Great Leader: The first step is making a conscious decision to pursue leadership. Dedicate your energy and focus to becoming exceptional.
Develop and Display High Personal Character: Leadership starts with character. Begin with behavior change, which will eventually lead to transformation of attitudes and character.
Develop New Skills: Be intentional about learning new skills and applying them. This continuous learning process is key to leadership growth.
Find a Coach: A coach can provide objective, constructive feedback. They can guide you, challenge you, and help you see things from a different perspective.
Identify Your Strengths: Self-development involves improving what you're already good at. Don't focus too much on areas where you can't excel. Instead, leverage your strengths.
Identify Your Weaknesses and Make Them Irrelevant: This can be achieved through delegation, using outside resources, or reallocating work assignments. The goal is to ensure your weaknesses don't hinder your leadership effectiveness.
Fix Fatal Flaws: Learn from your experiences and mistakes. If you have flaws that are detrimental to your leadership, fix them as quickly as possible.
Increase the Scope of Your Assignment: Broadening your responsibilities allows you to refine your skills in new contexts. It also provides opportunities for growth and learning.
Connect with Good Role Models: Observing and interacting with role models can help you gain business acumen and improve interpersonal skills. They can inspire you and provide valuable insights.
Learn from Mistakes and Negative Experiences: Being aware of and learning from mistakes is a productive tool for self-development. It helps you avoid repeating the same errors and fosters resilience.
Seek Ways to Give and Receive Productive Feedback: There's often a gap between how leaders see themselves and how they're perceived by others. Feedback can help close this gap and provide insights for improvement.
Learn from Experiences: Find mechanisms to learn from every experience. Each situation, whether positive or negative, offers valuable lessons.
Study the Current Reality of the Organization: Being honest with yourself and encouraging candor from others helps you stay in touch with your current reality. It allows you to understand the organization's needs and challenges.
Learn to Think Strategically: Understand the roadmap to becoming a better strategic thinker. This involves seeing the bigger picture, anticipating future trends, and making informed decisions.
Communicate with Stories: Use powerful stories to connect emotionally with those around you. Stories can inspire, motivate, and create a shared sense of purpose.
Infuse Energy into Every Situation: Leaders bring excitement, enthusiasm, and energy into any endeavor. Your energy can ignite others' passions and motivate them to move forward.
Remember, the journey to extraordinary leadership requires consistent and intentional effort. Focus on leadership development as much as performing leadership activities. Embrace these 16 steps and embark on your journey to extraordinary leadership today!
For more information or to inquire about our coaching services, feel free to reach out to:
J.A. Dava, Co-founder, Sr. Coach at Jdava@latreiacoaching.com/ 614-638-9397, or
Paul Waldrop, Co-founder, Sr. Coach at pwaldrop@latreiacoaching.com/ 404-784-3771.
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