By Bryan Nadeau, PCC. While we are well into the year, there’s still plenty of time to make 2021 a better year. What are you going to do with that opportunity? Where do you want to take your leadership?
Leaders have a choice to constantly seek improvement or stay static. What is the price you are willing to pay to remain stagnant? Use 2021 to be that leader that seeks improvement and make it happen. Life is busier than it has ever been and if you don’t start today, then when? There’s nothing magic about January 1. Use these steps to take your leadership skills to the next level starting today.
Do Your Own 360
Check with colleagues you trust, your manager, and people that report to you and ask them at least 2 questions. What am I doing well and what do you see as area(s) for improvement? Ask them to be honest. You are seeking feedback to improve your leadership skills and would appreciate their input.
Identify Themes
Review the feedback as objectively as possible and look for the themes that emerge. Usually there are 2-3 themes that come out of feedback. For example: better communications, provide more details, prioritize better.
Define Next Steps and Be Specific
Based on the top 2 or 3 themes, map out what will be required for you to make the changes you want in your leadership. Then create the roadmap you will use to get there. Be specific and break the steps down into monthly, weekly, and daily steps to prevent feeling overwhelmed. The more specific the better.
Commit to the Plan
It is important to commit to reaching your goal. Make this your top priority and commit. There will be days or weeks when things get in the way. When something does get in the way, acknowledge it, capture any learnings, then pick-up where you left off and continue on. Life happens.
Accountability
Find a colleague or mentor who will help you stay accountable in reaching your goal. When you hit those low points, they can remind you of why you are working to reach your goal.
Celebrate Your Successes
It is important to pause and reflect on what you have achieved so far. As humans, we don’t do this for ourselves enough. We tend to accomplish one thing and move on to the next. Pause, celebrate, then continue on.
Using these steps will help you improve your leadership skills. Use that clarity and drive to make it happen. You are the only one that can. Make 2021 the year you take your leadership skills to the next level.
For more about building your leadership skills and taking them to the next level, schedule a consultation with Bryan.