To lead others should be taken very seriously. Very few do it well, still as we head into 2022 many leaders are ill equipped or even helped by their organizations to successfully lead. In a recent survey conducted by Deloittes 44% of Millennials are now in leadership positions. Most believe they have little or no development when it comes to leadership.
It’s fair to say you can jump on line and find countless books, videos, speeches etc on leadership. Whilst this is arguably a ‘helpful’ place to start there will come a time in your leadership career where you will need to turn to evidence. Factual evidence that is carried out on you. Your role as a leader has many hats, it’s important not to lose sight of who you are, your strengths and development needs to ensure you are leading effectively.
As an executive coach to many it’s my responsibility and job to hold the mirror up for you. I will be your biggest cheerleader and give you a gentle nudge when you are slipping away from your core purpose.
Many leaders have failed at the first hurdle to navigate the enormous pressure and demands that are bestowed upon them and this pressure must be managed if you are to last the test of time. I recently spoke to a high profiling (retired) sports star here in New Zealand. One thing he worked on with the help of his coach was managing and facing pressure.
“It affects us all differently,” he said to me. If you can ride it and embrace it you will excel, if you appreciate the art of how pressure can close down your senses, how it can throttle your airways and understand how to relax when the pressure is really turned up again you will laser in on your job. What you are there to actually do. There is no more pressure to be placed upon a person when 100,000 fans go quiet, you know all eyes are watching you, that is pressure. You need to trust the process and trust yourself.
A leader comes in many forms just like colors; choosing the best shade that works for you will allow you to sit back and relax in years to come.
My leadership coaching work involves evidence based, the work we do is up to date and relevant to today’s demands. It involves assessments that pinpoint your strengths and development areas. It involves those key stakeholders who see you in action every day, those who can really unlock your leadership potential.
Leadership has many season’s
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1-3 years
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4-9 years
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10-20 years
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21+
Over the years, leaders grow and develop certain behaviors, some of these behaviors will suit certain times. What will not change is your core value set. In our work together we look at what is important to you and how you can ensure you bring those core value sets into your every day work.
On thing I have continued to notice from the work I do is professionals can adapt and make small tweaks to his/her own leadership approach. They do this by getting evidence first before making the tweaks needed.
Leadership can be learnt, ensure you are utilising evidence based practices into your own learning and development. Have fun as you personally go about developing yourself, let go of the past and focus on being very present.
Yours in coaching
Nick
3rd January 2022 (executive coaching blog)