Did you know that 80% of people believe they have untapped leadership qualities but need to know how to access them?
-Personal Testimony
I once had a team member, Sameer (name changed), who always shied away from responsibility. But when pushed into managing an assignment due to a crisis, he excelled. He was a natural leader; he just needed the push to realize it.
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Journey Map Concept
Here is a small push for you. A practical “Journey Map to Leadership” that you can follow to unlock the leader inside you.
Step 1: Self-Audit
“Know thyself” is the first rule of Leadership.
Toolkit: Create a “Fear vs. Desire” list. Write down what you’re afraid of in one column and what you desire in another. You’ll often find your leadership traits hiding behind fears.
Did You Know?
According to research, writing down fears diminishes their power over you.
“Self-awareness is the ability to take an honest look at your life without any attachment to it being right or wrong, good or bad.” — Debbie Ford, author of “The Dark Side of the Light Chasers”
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Step 2: Daily Influence
Leadership is about influencing others in a positive manner.
Toolkit: Practice the “Rule of 3.” Every day, do three small things to influence positive change around you. It could be as simple as complimenting a colleague or suggesting an improvement.
Did You Know?
As per ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy, small daily disciplines and simple, productive actions create a big difference over time.
“Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.” — John C. Maxwell, author of “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”
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Step 3: Tactical Empathy
Being a leader means connecting with people.
Toolkit: Use the “2-Minute Connect.” Spend the first two minutes of any meeting discussing something personal, not work-related. This fosters a connection that makes Leadership more effective.
Did You Know?
A study shows that employees who feel their voice is heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work.
“Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes.” — Daniel Goleman, author of “Emotional Intelligence”
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Leadership is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and influence. With each step, you’re not only evolving yourself but also elevating those around you.
“Your leadership journey starts with the first step. Take it today.”
Ready to unlock your inner leader? Try implementing one of these toolkits this week and share your experience.