Think about the last leadership position you held. It can be anything — that brand new promotion to manager, or a project you led.
No matter what it was, I guarantee you ALL have this in common: there were challenges you never saw coming.
The truth is, leadership at any level is difficult. There’s pressure to “know everything” and “get it right the first time.”
My first experience managing a team was difficult and confusing. Not only is it hard to move on to a new reporting structure, but I was up against another daunting fact:
Though we all want to be great leaders, we’re rarely taught HOW.
True, a lot of leadership lessons are learned through trial and error, on the job. However, this doesn’t mean we’re alone. It doesn’t mean we’re without resources, or the wisdom of others to guide us.
This week, I want to share a few tips that can help YOU learn to lead more effectively.
1. You don’t know everything…
…and that’s actually a GREAT thing.
Think about it: when you face new challenges, you’re forced to listen to others. You get into a state of curiosity, and you absorb everything around you.
Creativity and productivity are actually at peak levels when you’re in this state. And by listening to others, you make yourself a “team player” — without compromising your authority.
So the next time you panic because you don’t know the answers, take a deep breath. Not knowing is actually okay.
2. Authenticity first.
As tempting as it is to pretend we know the answers (we’ll just figure it out later!), it’s important to be honest about your learning curve.
When you’re straightforward about this, people will forgive mistakes more easily — and better yet, you’ll get the advice and help you need.
3. Provide feedback often (and ask for it in return).
Clear communication is essential. If something’s not working, you need to let your team members know. Otherwise, the problem will only fester — and as your frustration rises, you’ll lose your ability to lead fairly and effectively.
There’s a right way and a wrong way to approach this discussion, so check out a few tips here if you’re struggling.
Finally, and most importantly, ask your team for feedback on a semi-regular basis. This will tell you what you’re doing right and what you need to work on. And best of all, it prevents you from losing self-awareness.
What was your biggest learning curve in a leadership role? How did you deal with it?
Shoot me a message — I always love to hear your stories!
Xo,
Alli
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