Leadership is not always easy. Its requires constant growth, accountability and self-regulation. In fact, for most of us, we find the most growth through adversity. Here are a few ways to help you hone your leadership skills and make the most of every opportunity in your life to grow as a leader.
Inspire those around you. Whether you realize it or not, someone is looking up to you. Everyone needs inspiration. In the midst of a frustrating day or season of life, we might be tempted to give up and move on. When we learn to turn hard moments into moments to inspire those around us, we will all win.
Constant improvement. There is an old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The reality is, many processes need improvement. Moreover, many businesses and industries use outdated processes and ways of doing things. The world needs creative leaders who are willing to re-invent the wheel to make the world a better place.
See other’s needs. As a leader, it can be easy to overlook the needs of those you work with, especially in a stressful day or when you are met with deadlines. This is an opportunity to take a step back and see what those around you need. Begin to ask yourself, “How can I make them succeed?” This answer is as unique as those people are. When we begin to see the needs of the people around us, we will grow as leaders.
See the world around you. There are countless stories of businesses that grew fast and closed shop even faster. It is so important to not take anything for granted and to keep your ear to the ground. As fads, industries, environments and workplace needs change, it is thus important to shift with them.
Ask for help. Growing as a leader means you need to be willing to admit you don’t have all the answers. As a leader it is important to know when to ask for help.
Empower others. As you develop in your career, business, or industry, it can be very tempting to be so lazer-focused on your mission that you miss out on the opportunity to empower others. For some, this may mean taking a co-worker out for coffee, or helping them hone their skills. For others, it may be a timely word of encouragement or advice when asked. Don’t walk with blinders on and miss out on helping those around you.
Surround yourself with the right people. This doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself. As important as it is for you to invest in others, it is just as important to have a network of people that are helping you grow. People that are willing to tell you hard truths and keep you focused on your mission.
Find a mentor. This goes along with the last point, but it needs to be reiterated. Like a good coach, a mentor is willing to cheer for you and guide you. This invaluable person is crucial to living a successful and healthy life of growth, and accomplishing your goals, both personally and professionally. Having the right people in your life to coach you will ensure you are growing and learning from those around you.
Never stop learning. As important as it is to keep growing, it can be a challenge to find time in our busy day to read a book. The reality is that learning is one of the most important ways to grow as a leader. When we believe we know everything, we are missing out on crucial discoveries others have made that will improve our lives and the way we do business.
You will experience painful moments in life. This is part of growing as a leader. In our TYRO programs, we teach that our life challenges can become our greatest teachers, if we allow them to be. These challenges afford us the opportunity to grow as leaders and become more aware of the places we need to grow.