Be a better Leader
Bite sized leadership advice
Leadership can be taught. It isn’t something that you are born with, it is something you can develop and learn.
For the last two decades, I have taught leadership, it is what I do. One thing I know and have observed is that everyone can learn to be a better, more inspiring leader.
You just need the time and attitude to practice some simple steps until they become habits.
Why are some people more ‘natural’ leaders than others?
Unless you are in the military where leadership is explicitly taught, few of us have been to leadership school. Leadership practice is not a class on most curriculums, even at business school. So how do you learn?
You observe, old school style.
We are impacted by the emotions and behaviours of others around us. If you have been around an inspiring leader, some of what and how they do what they do will rub off on you.
Who has inspired you through your life. How did it ‘feel’ to be led by that person, it feels good, it feels strong, it feels that you can take on the world.
Common themes are feeling valued, trusted, respected, safe. Human traits. We remember how people make us feel, rather than what they say.
You can choose whether you want that to become part of your own authentic leadership style.
The more you are exposed to great leaders, the more what they do becomes part of what you do. ‘Natural’ leaders have had more exposure.
Or you can learn explicitly.
- Start by understanding the dynamic between organisational leaders and their followers. This underpins your leadership
- Look at the six things leaders do. These are the things that make a difference.
- Observe leaders you respect. What do they do which makes you feel good and want to do more. How can you adopt that as part of what you do.
- Build your emotional intelligence
- Sign up to be coached by a leader that you respect. We specialise in coaching leaders to lead and inspire transformational change, the big stuff.
This is part of our Leadership Wizdom series, bite sized leadership advice for leaders who wish to improve their leadership, but don’t have much time. For more indepth articles check out The Change Wizard. We coach leaders and help their organisations become more adaptable at www.thechangewizard.com
