Being a leader is not an easy task, and is easier to get wrong than right. Anne Taylor coaches leaders to ensure that they’re getting the opportunity to learn more about themselves and gain self-clarity, ultimately allowing them to lead better.
Becoming an effective leader takes focus, determination and a well thought-out plan – all of which an executive coach facilitates. It’s important to set out your own personal values, principles, vision and goals and have a clear understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses.
However, three little questions can be beneficial, in order to gain a true understanding of oneself. This will go a long way to solidify a leader’s foundation.
Who Am I?
Without a clear understanding of who you are, leadership effectiveness can become short-lived, superficial and the ability to achieve goals can be severely weakened. On the path to becoming an effective leader, you’ll face asking yourself questions such as: Do you know your passions? Your own visions, values and beliefs? Your level of compassion for the organisation and how much you are willing to support its mission? How much are you willing to sacrifice for the organisation?
Once these questions are answered, this helps effective leaders understand their future role and the potential difference that they can make.
Who Are You?
Once leaders have a strong understanding of who they are and what they plan to contribute in their leadership role, it’s imperative to then turn your understanding to who is being led. Effective leaders will know the people their leading well, not just superficially. It’s not just remembering your team’s names – its remembering those of their family members too. It’s also key to understand what motivates them, and their contribution to the organisation, ensuring that you truly understand their goals and desires.
Whilst it is often not advised to become friends with those that we lead, an effective leader should always strive to be ‘friendly’ with co-workers. Just by being ‘friendly’ means getting to know your team and helping them to support their aspirations as well as nurturing your own.
Who Are We?
The third and final question is who are we? Once leader has a good understanding of who they are, and who their colleagues are, the next step is to begin the process of creating a team capable of meeting or exceeding job requirements. Effective leaders are able to see where everyone fits to form a strong team that can accomplish all the tasks at hand.
DIRECTions Coaching is a London-based executive and personal coaching service provided by Anne Taylor. For more information, please feel free to contact Anne on 0203 151 6830
