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There are Three Points of True Leadership. You will find leaders in your organization of all ages, experience, expertise, and talent. Titles have no bearing on this. True, authentic leaders are influencers and are looked to by their peers when facing uncertainty and change. You need to know who they are, so be on the lookout for these traits:
True leaders inspire those around them by shaping an image of the future (near or far) that allows others to gain their bearings and head in a direction that makes sense to them.
True leaders recognize the importance of bringing everyone along, taking in and acknowledging diversity of thought and ideas that contribute to the greater whole because no single person has all the answers.
True leaders understand that they actually have to lead, that decisions must be made and a path forged. They provide certainty and support an attitude of perpetual learning and adaptation.
Leadership comes more easily and naturally for some based on their ability to connect and communicate with others, but even the most notable leaders learned from others and broke a few rules along the way. Understanding the basics of what it means to lead successfully, you can put yourself on the right path for success.
5 Tips for Becoming an Extraordinary Leader
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind if you are looking to move up and into a leadership role.
Learn Learn Learn. Being a leader means you need to have a broad understanding of not just your role and responsibilities, but also those around you. Understanding how you interact and support all areas of your organization shows that you are ready to work at a more strategic level.
People are Important. If you're thinking of moving into a leadership role based on your technical expertise but don't like the hassle of dealing with others, then rethink your plan because you WILL BE expected to motivate your team to perform. You can still move up but focus on a position that doesn't require supervising others.
Recognize that the higher you go on the leadership track, the more your work will shift from doing to leading. My good friend Jen Jarvis talks often about how the time available to actually work diminishes exponentially as you move up the ladder - work is replaced with managing because managing is actually a thing!
Doing what you love is more important than the title you have. Don't lose sight of what motivates you, drives you, and allows you to make a contribution you are proud of! Too often people will focus on reaching a career goal and along the way find themselves (myself included) doing work that is no longer inspiring, fulfilling, or allowing for personal growth.
Don't be afraid to go in a different direction. What feels right today may look different five or ten years from now, so it's OK that you evolve as your life unfolds!
Understanding the basics of what it means to lead successfully, you can put yourself on the right path for success.
Cultivating Leaders in Your Organization
Leaders are a unique breed. They're not born, they're made - and the title of "leader" is bestowed on them by their peers. True leaders have three qualities that identify them as influencers in any organization or group: 1) they inspire those around them to reach for more than themselves; 2) they recognize the importance of inclusion; 3) they shape an image of the future (near or far), providing others with direction when faced with uncertainty and change.
f you are looking for a company to help your team become more productive, innovative, and successful with the use of true leadership principles, we should talk. Discover our unique strategies for facilitating excellent leadership development for the greater success of your company.