Get Back to the Basics for Success by Unlocking Leadership
Leadership development has transformed into a significant industry. Enter any bookstore or browse through online retailers like Amazon, and it quickly becomes apparent. There are countless books discussing various topics like emotional intelligence, servant leadership, agile leadership, and transformational leadership.
This abundance of resources is complemented by a steady stream of consultants offering services, webinars providing training, and certifications promising to enhance one’s skills. With so many options available, it’s easy for leaders to feel lost or overwhelmed.
Selecting the right approach can feel like trying to find the best diet among the rich variety available, such as keto, paleo, veganism, or intermittent fasting. The process can be tiring and confusing.
However, leadership development does not need to be overly complicated. In fact, one of the most effective ways to advance in your leadership journey may involve returning to basics. These basics focus on exploring personal and professional experiences that have already influenced you.
Such experiences contain valuable insight, allowing you to uncover your strengths, recognize areas for improvement, and outline a path for growth as a leader. This concept can be termed “experiential intelligence,” denoting the wisdom derived from your life journey.
To streamline the process and make it more practical, whether you are fostering your growth or guiding others, you can start with what you already possess: your life experiences.
First, take time to reflect on your personal values. Your values greatly influence the choices you make as a leader, often without your conscious realization. Pause to consider what truly matters to you. Is it integrity, creativity, teamwork, or something different? Understanding your values allows you to align your leadership approach with what feels genuine and true to you.
For example, if you value teamwork, aim to create an environment where your team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and collaborating on tasks.
Next, focus on identifying the strengths you have gained through your experiences. Reflect on key moments in your life that were significant, both in personal and professional contexts. What obstacles did you confront? What lessons emerged from those moments?
These experiences have likely shaped your views and approaches to decision-making. For instance, enduring tough situations may have imparted resilience, giving you useful insights into how to tackle future challenges.
It’s also crucial to acknowledge your blind spots. The same experiences that foster strengths can also conceal areas needing improvement. Be candid with yourself about any limitations.
For instance, if avoiding conflict is a pattern, recognize that it might hinder your effectiveness as a leader. If you find that you often shy away from tough conversations, develop a strategy to enhance your conflict resolution skills.
Another useful step involves seeking feedback. Often, those around us can see our behaviors and patterns more clearly than we can. Reach out to colleagues, peers, or team members and ask them for their honest opinions.
A simple question like, “What is one thing I do well, and what is one area where I could improve?” can provide invaluable insights. Listen carefully to their responses.
For example, if someone notes that you tend to dominate discussions in meetings, make a commitment to practice active listening during future sessions.
By focusing on these steps—reflecting on personal values, identifying strengths, recognizing blind spots, and asking for feedback—you can simplify and enhance your leadership development journey. Each of these actions draws upon your existing experiences, allowing you to grow as a leader in a way that feels natural and authentic.