It doesn’t take more than a little interest and a few strokes of the keyboard to find yourself overwhelmed with ideas, courses, suggestions, discussions, books, blogs, talks, and everything I didn’t mention, in pursuit of being a better leader. Did you know one of the simplest and most effective ways to be a better leader is by asking the people around you this one simple question, “How can I be a better leader”? Many executives and leaders I work with struggle with this concept. It is only after they experience it themselves can they fully support its simplicity and effectiveness. Yes, it’s simple because it is simple. It’s just not easy.
Leadership is one of the most popular topics on LinkedIn, the internet and throughout the business world. There is good information and good advice, and at times it can be overwhelming. Maybe there is just too much of it. I believe, and maybe you do too, the low hanging fruit, simple and relevant, is all we need.
The question, how can I be a better leader, helped change my life and now I help others change theirs. Letting go and opening up is easier said than done. Maybe that’s why there are more aspiring leaders than great leaders. Think about it this way, you know what you know and that’s all you know. If you want to know more, the simplest way to have more is to ask for more. The people who know you, possibly even better than you know yourself, are the people you surround yourself with – your board, manager, peers, direct reports, and anyone who is affected positively or negatively by what you do. These people see you and experience how you are, what you do and how you do it. Having their feedback is a gift and receiving it means you are fortunate.
Every leader does everything perfectly to get the results they are getting. Whatever you are doing is creating what you have. If you want to be a better leader you might consider changing something you are doing. My clients know how to ask the question, but they are not always certain what to do with the feedback or how to apply it. They ask me to facilitate a process, create a frame work, collect feedback, create a plan, implement it and measure success.
Here are a few examples of what some of my clients work on to be better leaders:
Treating others with respect
Building trust
Listening to different points of view before giving their opinion
Delegating more effectively
Developing an executive presence
Collaborating with others
Holding others accountable
If you or someone you know would like to be a better leader, start by asking, “How can I be a better leader?”
Want help? Call me.
Enjoy the ride!