Are you a leader? Maybe you think it depends on your job title, or maybe you believe only managers and bosses are leaders. If you’re stuck in this mindset, you really should reconsider. Regardless of your role, you too can be a leader. If you depend only on those higher up the chain to provide leadership, you’re abandoning some of the fundamental power you have as a contributor.
No matter what your position, your perspective is vital, and employers increasingly value that. To start, resolve to be an engaged employee, take ownership of your work, show that you don’t need micromanagement, and find ways to leverage your individual contributions and those of your team. These are all important behaviors and attitudes on the road to leadership.
Beyond that, what can you do to become a stronger leader? As someone who’s spent most of her career helping people find significance in their lives and work, I recommend these four skills as a good starting point in your personal leadership development.
be self-aware
Let’s say you believe you’re an excellent communicator and presenter, but you notice your colleagues are furtively looking at their phones when you’re talking.
Should you (a) tell the supervisor your coworkers are being rude, hoping she will correct the situation? Or (b) check in with them yourself?
Recent studies show we’re not as self-aware as we believe. In fact, our coworkers judge our skills twice as accurately as we do. This means that we must find ways to discover more about our strengths and recognize when we need help.
No matter what your position, your perspective is vital, and employers increasingly value that.
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Sure, maybe your coworkers are just acting rudely. But if they’re ignoring you while you’re presenting, it could be because your presentation isn’t compelling. So, asking them to put their phones away is a good first step. But you may also want to ask how you can improve your presentation.
Being somewhat vulnerable in this way will make you more aware of how your peers view you, which is your main goal. It could have additional payoffs, such as better understanding your coworkers’ expectations and increasing the chances they’ll ask you for advice — a useful side effect.
If you’re curious, ask open-ended questions and listen carefully with an open mind, you can find breakthrough solutions. If you and your coworkers are interdependent and can collaborate, you will increase the energy of the group — another hallmark of good leadership.
invest in trust
Here’s how you can improve your reputation as a dependable leader and collaborator. First, focus on building solid work relationships by being trustworthy. It must start with you. Waiting for others to prove they’re trustworthy while they wait for you to do the same will result in gridlock.
If you always do what you say you will, you’re setting the stage for others to trust you. And trust begets trust. Setting this example while helping coworkers see the value of trust-building has a positive impact on work culture and everyone’s productivity. Coworkers will want to collaborate if they feel valued and they can trust you.
Second, two-way communication — when you listen as much as you talk and truly consider others’ input — goes a long way toward building relationships and encouraging collaboration and teamwork, two vital skills for effective leaders.
Even if you’re not in charge, use the influence you have to improve your work environment. One way to do this is to help develop team rituals that strengthen interpersonal bonds and encourage curiosity, laughter and creativity. These practices can be initiated by team members at all levels of an organization.
adapt and be open to new ideas
Are you a grumbler when changes occur? Or are you flexible in your thinking and curious about how best to make the changes work?
No one enjoys working with someone who constantly spreads negativity. And the effect of negativity can dampen even an upbeat environment.
In her book Change Your Mindset, researcher Carol Dweck describes two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset believe their qualities are fixed traits and cannot change. Those with a growth mindset believe they can grow over time and with experience. Try to find ways to challenge yourself to nurture a growth mindset — to be more adaptable and view challenges as opportunities.
So, if you’re often a grumbler, realize it could be based on incorrect assumptions of limitations. It’s worth examining your underlying beliefs and mindset to challenge those that aren’t helpful. A growth mindset is a vital part of being a true leader, so embrace change to take charge.
collaborate
Are you and your coworkers going about your jobs separately, taking care of the duties in your job descriptions and not collaborating? Such an approach means you’re technically getting the job done, but it doesn’t raise your organization to new heights.
To be a leader, you should try to think and act like one. Adopting a leadership mindset can improve your self-confidence and help others see you as a leader. Look for opportunities to determine shared goals that everyone can feel passionate about. For the greatest success, these goals must be owned by everyone, and this is more likely when they are co-created.
Organizations are dynamic. Those who can display real leadership skills — regardless of their position — will be more successful and satisfied in their careers and will have a greater chance of making a difference.
Now that you know what it takes, ask yourself again: are you a leader? If you aren’t yet, that’s OK. But now you have the tools to understand what it takes to become a leader and how to get started.