Are You Aware of Your Leadership Style?

I have had lots of learning this last while on what it means to be a leader. I have learnt that the way I lead depends on the people I am leading and the circumstances under which I am leading. Different people react different ways in various circumstances. As a leader I need to be aware of the people and circumstances and adjust accordingly.

When I say adjust accordingly, I don't mean change who you are. Being authentic is vital. What I mean is that, for example, sometimes people need tough love and sometimes they need compassion. What I have learnt as a leader is to follow my intuition. When I am in tune with my "gut feeling" and pay attention to it, I know what kind of leadership is necessary in the moment.

I tend to be a "strong" person and unsympathetic at the best of times. I like to see things get done and I rarely have the patience for reasons why they didn't. However, my learning as a leader is that sometimes people need the compassion to allow them the space to learn and grow. Sometimes if I come on too strong, they will just stay stuck or shut down rather than move forward. As a leader I want the best for my people and inspiring them to move forward is way more powerful than them shutting down.

How do you lead in your life? Are you strong? If yes, do you have a good balance of compassion? Are you compassionate more often than not? If yes, do you have a good balance of strength to lead your people through good and bad times?

Who inspires you as a leader? What characteristics do they have that you aspire to? How can you move in this same direction?

What kind of leadership is necessary in your life? It is very likely different from home to work to friendships to community. How are the people you are leading responding to you as a leader? Do they love to follow you or is there often resistance and conflict? Step back and take a look at the kind of leader you are being. What do you need more of and what do you need less of in your leadership to become a bigger inspiration as a leader?

It is usually hugely beneficial to ask too. Ask people you lead how you might be a better leader. They will offer you amazing insights that will transform you into an even more amazing leader than you already are.

What do you need to do to become an even better leader in your life?

"Leadership isn't about simply being in charge and treating your people like soldiers and barking orders. Leadership is sharing your knowledge and your direction so that others grow and reach their potential."

~ Cal Ripken

Take a conscious look at yourself in your leadership roles. Every one of us is a leader in many ways. Determine the next step for you to grow as a leader. How do you currently show up in each role? How are others responding to you as a leader? Write this down.

Who are the leaders that inspire you and what characteristics do they have? Write these down too.

Make a complete list of the characteristics of a great leader that YOU desire to embrace. This will be a foundational piece from which you can build and grow.

Also, how can you follow your intuition more and give people what they need to learn and grow? Sometimes you might need to be a tiger and sometimes a pussy cat. The challenge is to determine what is most effective and when. This will allow you to grow as a leader and to inspire many.

It starts with recognizing where you are at and where you want to go... then it is just one step at a time in that direction. And slowly but surely you transform into an incredible leader that has a huge impact on the people s/he leads. The world needs more great leaders!