Being a leader can be difficult. It can stretch you in ways you did not think possible and push you to boundaries you never thought you would reach. But, by taking the experience as a golden opportunity to grow, leading an organization can become a wondrous journey of self-discovery and self-reflection. Personal growth and self-leadership.
A crucial part of being a leader is having a growth mindset. This means that you are open to learning, expanding and experiencing as you journey along your path of leadership. Having a growth mindset is much like being a lifelong learner. Taking every opportunity to develop not only yourself, but your employees too.
From the perspective of the employee, having a leader who is open to growth and change can be very rewarding. By being approachable and a good listener, you enable employees to feel secure in their relationship with you. You allow them to propose ideas, help with decisions and voice concerns, without judgement.
But to be open as a leader places you in a position of vulnerability. In order to be secure in yourself, allowing others access, means you need to be aware of your strengths, weakness, shortcomings, and values.
By being self-aware, you will be able to lead from a place of empathy. You will understand why people react or respond to situations the way they do, because you will have deeper understanding of your own psyche. Leading from this position, means that you can use kindness in your day-to-day dealings with your employees and customers. People respond to genuine connection, and this will inevitably result in continued support for your business.
What does it mean to be a self leader?
“Self-leadership is the process by which you influence yourself to achieve your objectives.” Andrew Bryant, 2016
Self-leadership encompasses self observation and self management. It affects every area of your life: health, career and relationships. It takes you from living on luck, to living on strategy, having a clear view of your goals and how to achieve them. By being a self-leader, you are engaging in leadership for your employees, from the inside-out. In this model of leadership, you are constantly developing yourself, in order to better develop your employees.
According to Bryant, 2016, three important areas of self-development are:
· Self-awareness: Knowing what your triggers are, your strengths and weaknesses
· Self-confidence: Taking action and developing skills to improve your own performance
· Self-efficacy: Being creative with feedback in order to handle anything that comes
Someone who is a self leader knows him or herself well. They know their triggers. They know how to stop and step back from situations in order to respond to situations that occur, in a calm, professional and appropriate way. They work with intention, influence and impact. They know that in order to influence others, they must influence themselves.
There is a myriad self-help books and online resources available to help you become a self leader. Self-leadership is a vital tool for any leader and one that will optimize every area of your life. Living from a place of centeredness and awareness creates a calm, organized and strategic life. Take the step today and keep up the best investment you will make... Self-leadership.