How to Develop Leadership Skills?
Do you feel stuck? You want to advance into leadership but there is no training budget available, no formal mentoring or coaching program, and all of the positions posted require leadership experience already.
No problem!
While training money may be tight and entry-level opportunities may be few, there are many things that you can do to start developing leadership skills – and thereby demonstrate that when opportunities and money do become available, you are a good investment as an emerging leader!
When constructing your plan to develop ‘leadership skills’ there are some basics that you can start to develop and deploy even if you do not have a team to lead. Each of the topics below is linked to a detailed article in my blog about that topic.
When your organization cannot provide a ready-made path for development as an emerging leader, blaze your own trail! Here are some tips:
1. Exercise your ability to separate your response from a stimulus
This means learning the self-control to pause before acting emotionally or in a manner that doesn’t fully align with your values and aspirations. Do not simply react emotionally or instinctually - respond purposely and meaningfully. Sarcasm, gossip, and a can’t-do attitude have no place in leadership. To show that you have what it takes, demonstrate your ability to control your words and actions. Expand your ability to utilize the gap between stimulus and response. Learn more about accountability and how to separate your response from a stimulus.
2. Have, and demonstrate, a positive attitude towards learning new skills
Don’t create excuses to delay your learning or to be negative. Just because there isn’t training money available for example does not mean that you cannot find free training for now - like reading some Leadership blogs for example! Be positive! Be creative!
Just because there aren’t entry-level leadership positions available doesn’t mean you can’t lead a team. Volunteer to be on various ‘extra-curricular’ committees or project teams and practice your leadership skills there. It will be noticed! Ask your manager what teams exist that need members and that you can join. When formal opportunities do not exist, be creative and find informal opportunities.
Learn more on how to demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning new skills.
3. Work to clarify and demonstrate your aspiration for leadership
This requires that you understand your desired career direction and can communicate it. This also means demonstrating that you understand that leadership roles require high integrity and work ethic. Demonstrate these leadership attributes.
4. Work on developing your executive presence and influence
You don’t need a fancy title to wield influence. Learn how to enhance your gravitas and hone your communication. Even if you ultimately decide not to go into leadership, having a greater executive presence will correspond to more satisfaction at work and more career success.
5. Become more self-aware
We all have our unconscious biases. Leaders need to be aware of theirs so that they can ensure that they actively manage those biases. The earlier you uncover your own biases, the fewer mistakes you’ll make along your path. More self-aware leaders are generally better at engaging their team members, and therefore at delivering stronger results.
6. Communicate Your Plan!
Create a documented plan using the tips and tools above and in the linked articles. Make SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) objectives, and don’t keep that plan a secret!
As you go about improving your skills, do not be shy about telling your bosses and career influencers about what you are doing to improve your skills. Create an elevator speech and have it rehearsed and ready for when you have an opportunity with a career influencer. They can make a lot of things happen in the organization to give you a chance to demonstrate what you can do. For them to do that, they must know what you want, and also they must see you as being an emerging leader who is a good bet for the future! Your plan, clear action, and positive attitude will convince them!
Do you want more tips or guidance to improve your executive presence? Take the Executive presence course or get an experienced coach to assist you in fulfilling your career ambitions.
