Easy Ways to Level up Your Leadership Skills
In our fast-paced and ever-changing environment, effective executive leadership skills are more important than ever. Why? Because as a leader, YOU hold the keys. You have the opportunity to inspire, to guide, and to lead your team to success, and contribute to the success of your organization. There are several simple yet impactful strategies you can implement to level up your leadership skills - whether you’re new to leading, or have been doing it for decades. Let’s explore some practical steps that can help you become a more effective and influential leader.
Embrace Feedback as a Valuable Asset
One of the most straightforward and often underutilized tools for personal and professional growth is feedback. Seeking and embracing feedback can provide valuable insight into your strengths and areas for improvement. The people who interact with you regularly, including team members, peers, and supervisors, can offer unique perspectives on your leadership style. According to Cambridge, feedback is a key skill that helps leaders adapt, make better decisions, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Being receptive to feedback demonstrates your commitment to growth and creates an environment where open communication thrives.
Cultivate Mentoring Relationships
Mentorship is a powerful tool for leadership development. Identifying a mentor, whether within your industry or from a different background, can provide you with guidance, insight and perspective that can accelerate your growth. Look for someone who excels in areas you aim to develop, and consider what you can offer in return.
Successful mentor-mentee relationships involve mutual learning and growth, contributing to both personal and professional success. Recognize that effective mentorship is a two-way street where both parties contribute - and benefit!
Commit to Lifelong Learning
If there’s one thing we know from our coaching engagements, it’s that leadership is a continuous journey. It’s an ongoing practice of learning, reflection and growth. Prioritize your development by engaging in various learning modes. Connect with other industry leaders, read books, stay informed about business, financial and social trends, and seek out thought-provoking content. With some of us returning to the office and having commute time again, we recommend you give the following podcasts a listen:
HBR IdeaCast: A weekly podcast featuring the leading thinkers in business and management.
Work Life with Adam Grant - Now in its fifth season, organizational psychologist continues to deliver thought provoking and insightful interviews.
Women at Work - Another podcast that always delivers. The recent episode on Communicating Effectively when you’re Running on Empty is worth a listen.
The Hidden Brain - This podcast explores the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior and questions that lie at the heart of our complex and changing world.
Unlocking Us - Sadly, Brene Brown’s podcast that gives access to “conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart” has ended - but it’s worth finding and streaming.
Continuous learning not only expands your knowledge base but also enhances your critical thinking and decision-making abilities. It's important to allocate dedicated time for personal and professional development.
Practice the "Sharpen the Saw" Principle
We keep going back to Covey! Incorporate Covey’s principles into your leadership journey. Prioritize your personal well-being and growth. Block time on your calendar for self-care, exercise, and reflection. Engage in activities that rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit so you’re equipped to lead with energy and resilience. By prioritizing your holistic well-being, you’re more ready to tackle challenges and you’ll inspire your team!
Virtual Leadership Coaching
Becoming an exceptional leader is a continuous process that requires dedication, self-awareness, and intention. Have you ever considered your own executive coach? Effective coaching is a challenging, rewarding, and personalized experience. At Nova, we work with leaders to get clarity on what’s most important and to push boundaries. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what our executive clients have to say:
“My coach has been instrumental in helping me focus on specific areas for growth and has also highlighted strengths in a way I’d not previously considered. She’s direct, insightful and awesome to partner with.”
Or the COO of a financial services company who shared that:
“After working with Nova, I’ll not only be a better leader, I’ll be a better person.”
Contact us today to discover your strength, brilliance, and wisdom.