I’ve had really good managers.

And, I’ve had some not-so-good managers.

I’m guessing you have too.

No one is a natural born leader. All leadership is learned. Unless you are consciously developing yourself as a leader, your team will struggle and you will struggle watching them struggle.

Here are 4 strategies you can implement—right away—to develop your leadership style:

• Communicate a Compelling Vision: Articulating a vision is vital when leading others. A shared vision creates a common purpose. If you’re not passionate about the future, your team won’t be either. Your job as a leader is to communicate the path forward and ensure your team knows WHY you are leading them in that direction. Knowing WHY is essential. Your team will be more inclined to commit to something if they understand why it’s important. Every team needs an emotional driver. Emotional drive moves people forward. Do you take the time to share your vision? Do you explain to your team, in detail, why and how your vision will both improve the business and benefit them in return? Team alignment is important!
• Serve as a Role Model: The best leaders set a positive example for their team. As a result, others want to emulate their behavior. Do you walk the walk and talk the talk? Do your habits embody the character traits you ask others to display? If you want to become a better leader, work on modeling the qualities that you would like to see in your team.
• Learn from Mistakes: Face it—nobody is perfect and everyone has made a mistake or two. The most effective leaders know that the key to success is learning from their mistakes. What mistakes have you made? What have you learned? Are you willing to put your ego aside and share those experiences with your team? When you teach others what you yourself are learning, you help others navigate similar challenges they may face.
• Commit to Something BETTER: If you want something different, you must become someone different. Great leaders continue to improve themselves in every possible way. They consciously evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and WHY. They know they can’t change what happened yesterday, but they can show up different today. They don’t blame others for what they did or didn’t do. Instead, they ask what they could have done better. Do you consciously reflect on your leadership style? Leaders are teachers and to be a great teacher, you must become a great student. Are you?

Don’t be the one who is full of sh*t. Become the leader others want to follow. Want help? Call me.