Every year presents itself with a new set of challenges for business leaders, whether it’s the talent gap, generational shifts, an up-and-down economy, or the usual 21st-century challenges, like technological modernization, digital transformation and globalization. In order for leaders to successfully rise to the challenge, it’s not enough to leverage their skills for leading their organizations -- they must learn to lead themselves.
As a seasoned executive coach with more than a decade in the field, I’ve seen a noticeable increase in leaders seeking advisory on how to better practice personal leadership.
Personal leadership is the leadership of the self. When practicing personal leadership, leaders put themselves first, not out of arrogance or selfishness, but out of a commitment to becoming centered, strategic, reflective and clear. Personal leadership can be understood as the ability to define a direction for your life and leadership and to move in that direction with consistency over time. That kind of clarity not only helps leaders achieve what they want to achieve, but it instills confidence among others in their leadership so they can attain their common goals.
For leaders who need digestible, practical ways to lead from within outside of the noise created by the digital era and data deluge, these five practices for leading from within provide a place to start.
Get clarity. Getting clarity on what you want means connecting clearly and instantly to your ideas about success, both short-term and long-term. Just as business leaders set a vision for their company, so too must they create a vision for themselves. Your vision can change as you change, but it's steady enough to provide direction. Getting clarity ensures that, despite the changes happening in today’s business and economic landscape, the busy-ness of life and business won’t lead you in a direction you don’t want to go.
Find focus. Finding focus means keeping your priorities in mind even when the world around you is pulling you away. One way to find your focus is to keep a short list of areas that matter most to you as a leader, and then ask yourself if these areas reflected in the way you're spending your time. For many people, they aren't. Their day-to-day to-do list bears little resemblance on what they want long-term for their life. Instead, keep your focus areas handy and use them to organize your time. You may even develop something of a "personal strategic plan." In a business setting, a strategic plan makes it possible for everyone within the organization to see, and align themselves with, a common vision, mission, goals, and action plan — usually all in a single document. Just so, your personal strategic plan can make it possible for you to see and align yourself with your personal vision, and goals, perhaps even on a single page.
Take deliberate, effective action. Have you ever concluded a workday reflecting on whether you actually got anything of value done? The best way to stop spinning your wheels and start driving with direction, beyond creating yet another task list for yourself, is to use disciplined thought to create a result of disciplined action, and make sure those actions start with the focused intention you set out in your personal strategic plan.
Tap into your brilliance. Use your uniqueness to your advantage. Every leader has characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, positives and negatives, that are unique to them. When you tap into your unique brilliance, you’re capitalizing on your own talents and leading in a way that is aligned with your strengths. Make the most of the talents you already have.
Gallup’s 40-year study of human strengths revealed that people who have the opportunity to focus on their strengths every day are "six times more likely to be engaged at work" and "three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life." By tapping into your brilliance and leveraging your strengths, you can become one of those people.
Feel fulfillment. Discover what drives you to be the most effective leader you can be -- your values, meaning and purpose -- so that you feel fulfilled. While many leaders don’t view “fulfillment” as a traditional return on investment for their company, or even a critical business result, it is a core requirement for effective leaders who lead from within.
Ultimately, personal leadership is a self-driven style of leadership well-suited to dedicated leaders who constantly ask themselves: “How do I need to be, act and think in order to be my best?” Think of all of the principles of leadership that have made your business successful. Getting clarity on a vision, focusing on top priorities, taking deliberate action, and leveraging talent – apply these sound business practices to yourself, and you'll be on your way to practicing personal leadership.
