Being a leader is not as easy as being a manager. To be a leader, you must build belief and trust from those around you. You need to have a vision to lead people in a positive direction. Additionally, it would help if you were astute when you make decisions as they steer your direction. Followers view a leader as someone capable and wise. The decisions that you make are seen to be the best to follow. Being a leader takes hard work, and no one will serve it to you on a silver platter.
You have probably understood the importance of self-management from the leadership coaching sessions. It will help your unique perspectives on ways you can take responsibility for your development. To succeed as a leader through self-management, you will need:
To be a listener and communicator
You need to know what those who follow you need. You cannot be aloof from those who look up to you as a leader. Do not be distant from them since, as a leader, you do need to be part of the team. You work with them by guiding and directing them. Being passionate will be an added plus to your success in achieving the goals that you have set. This will also help motivate and inspire those you lead, keeping the team alive.
No leadership is perfect, and you need to understand the weaknesses and strengths of your team and your leadership. Protect the weaknesses and build on the strengths.
Courage and experience
Being a manager is a different ballgame from being a leader. Managers make decisions, and to be successful in this, they must also be good leaders. Education and skills help meet the requirements of the manager, and they are more easily obtained than leadership. To be a successful leader, you must have the right attitude, courage, and experience.
Winds of change
Leadership coaching self-management shows there is more to being a leader than just the profits. You must sharpen your focus and effectively guide your organization through difficult times. This is why you need to look beyond the profits that will be made.
Know the essential point
Self-management in successful leadership will require you not to compete but to create, avoid controlling others, and empower them. Do not force. Influence. The traditional leadership coaching programs missed their mark as they focused on changing leaders. This approach has never been successful. To be effective as a leader, you will need self-management and not aspire to be someone else, as your leadership styles are never the same.
Basics of self-management
It would be best if you were self-aware of your leadership style. Reflect on your past leadership experiences and learn from your mistakes before you take on another leadership role. You can obtain this information from journals you have kept over the years.
The next step is to seek the honest opinions of those you work with daily, as this is the breakfast of champions. Then, have a small group of people who you can open up to about your dreams and sorrows. They will be great shoulders to lean on when things are tough and give you insight to help you grow as a leader.
Remember, leadership is not about exerting power over others; it results from self-management, which empowers others to step up and be leaders.
