LEADERS ARE INTENTIONAL ABOUT THE SKILLS THEY WANT TO ENHANCE
Serving as a workplace leader can be challenging, stressful and enervating. Frequently it seems that there is so much to accomplish and so little time to get things done.
That’s why many leaders are scheduled from the beginning of the work day until the time they go home or log off their computers. For them, work is about moving during the course of the day – moving from this thing to the next thing to the next thing. They pride themselves on completing meetings, on handling challenging conversations, and on helping their team members solve problems.
Some of these tasks are essential and meaningful. However, when leaders move from checking one box to another box to a third box, the day can pass by very quickly and, lo and behold, at the conclusion of the day, they realize that they may have pushed much work off their plates, but they did not address their highest priorities.
During our own leadership journeys, one of the highest priorities for all of us is to make time for introspection. Without adequate introspection, it becomes tough for us to truly grow as leaders.
-Do you make the time for meaningful thinking on a regular basis?
-Do you ask yourself challenging questions?
-Do you check in with colleagues about leadership skills you could improve upon?
I was reminded of the need for leadership introspection this week when I completed a coaching engagement with a senior partner at a prestigious international law firm. This woman is smart, accomplished, experienced and motivated. She truly wants to serve as a good leader for her people throughout the firm.
We decided to spend our final session reviewing the insights she had gained during our coaching meetings. I was very impressed with those insights. With her gracious permission, I am sharing them in this week’s newsletter.
Why?
Because I believe we all struggle with some of these issues from time to time, and we can all gain perspective from her “lessons” that we too can apply as we engage in our own introspection and continue down our leadership paths.
Here were some of this leader’s insights:
Resistance to Change & Emotions – I recognize I resist change at times. I tend to be analytical, while others approach things more emotionally. How can I balance rational decision-making with empathy for my colleagues’ fears?
Managing Strong Personalities – I want to revisit strategies for working with colleagues who may respond more emotionally than analytically, while keeping the focus on business priorities.
Manager & Employee Growth – I want to continue to explore approaches that help me be more effective as both a colleague and as a manager and strive to identify those approaches that may be undermining my effectiveness.
Openness to Change – I sometimes come across as “curious but not open.” I’d like help reframe my instinctive “why change?” reaction so I can embrace new ideas more effectively.
Listening Skills – I know this remains a weak spot, though I’ve made progress. I’d like to reinforce key active listening techniques.
Decisiveness, Confidence & Perception – Some colleagues or clients might see me as stubborn or arrogant. I see these traits as potentially positive, but I’d like to gain greater perspective for myself on when they help and when they hurt me as a leader.
Delegation & Letting Go – I have improved in these critical leadership skills, but I’d like to track my progress even more at letting go of control and simultaneously providing clear vision and direction. I know I have a tendency to hang onto things that I enjoy doing, even though it might not be the best choice for our law firm.
I invite you to review these leadership skills and behaviors that my client has identified at the conclusion of my coaching engagement with her.
-Which ones can you recognize that apply to your own leadership?
-What strategies can you adopt that will allow you to improve your own skills?
-What is your level of commitment to making these changes?
We can all learn from other leaders!!!
If you believe this content would resonate with a friend or colleague, please feel free to forward it along!
-Larry