How To Lead At Your Highest Level

How to lead at your highest level

Whether we're already steering a big ship with a large team, recently landed our first management role, or even just aspiring to lead someday - honing our leadership skills is the key to unlocking incredible opportunities and growth in our careers.

Leadership is a skill that's constantly evolving.

Leadership is like a journey of self-discovery and growth. We start with a foundation, and as we face challenges and experiences, our leadership skills grow and become more refined.

Being a great leader is like being a master storyteller - we need to express our vision and ideas with clarity and charisma. It's like painting a vivid picture that inspires and motivates our teams.

As a VIP Communications Pass holder, this article is packed with extra tips and tools to show you how to be a more confident communicator, including videos, downloadable tips, step-by-step instructions, and more! 

https://vimeo.com/828443493?share=copy

VIP Communications Pass: Overcoming The Fear To Lead

 

1. Overcoming The Fear To Lead

Leading a team can feel like stepping into the unknown. We might find ourselves doubting our abilities, thinking, "Will people listen to me?" or "Can I really be a leader?" It's that little voice of negativity that loves to creep in. 

Consider the following:

• Name it to Claim it - When we have doubts swirling around in our mind, the best way to control that negative voice in our head is to name it! This can be a fun exercise where we think about a vegetable we don't like. For example, "kale." Next time we hear that "kale" voice, we will know it's there and we can say, "Hold on, kale, you're not calling the shots here!" It's silly but it's about naming it to claim it. It's like taking that kale and putting it aside, creating space for more positive thinking to shine through. We reframe our thoughts, serving ourselves a delicious salad of positivity instead.
• Boost Our Confidence - When it comes to leading at our very best, confidence makes all the difference. A surefire way to boost our confidence is preparation. Imagine this - we've got that important presentation in front of our stakeholders, and we want to rock it like a pro. We dive into our research, knowing our stuff inside out. We go the extra mile to know who's who in the room. We memorize the names, titles, and even their valuable contributions. We come prepared with all the materials we need, organized, and ready to roll. When we walk into that room, we'll exude confidence like a boss, knowing we're fully prepared for whatever comes our way. 

• Reframe Our Thinking - As leaders, we'll have those incredible moments when everything goes smoothly, and our team is thriving. But let's be real, there will also be times when things get complicated, even if we've been leading for years. That's when we've got to give ourselves permission to grow and learn. Reframing our thinking is like a powerful tool in our leadership toolbox. It's about shifting our perspective and finding the silver lining in every challenge. Perhaps our team isn't collaborating as smoothly as we'd like. Instead of getting stuck in thoughts like, "I'll never get them to work together," we can hit that reframing button and tell ourselves, "I haven't been able to get them to work together yet." See, it's all about adding that tiny word - "yet." It's like leaving the door open to possibilities and acknowledging that we're still learning and evolving as leaders.

The fear of leading might try to creep in, but we can't let it hold us back from becoming the remarkable leaders we were meant to be. We've got the tools to conquer that fear and step into our leadership at its absolute best.

 

2. Elevate Communications

Being an effective leader is all about making sure our team is on the same page as us! Whether we're asking for ideas, project completion, or feedback, crystal-clear communication is the secret sauce to success.

Consider the following:

• Be Specific - As leaders, being specific in our communications is like adding a dash of clarity to the mix. We want to avoid those vague generalities that can lead to confusion. For example, if we tell our team to "please review the videos," it's like leaving them wandering in a maze of uncertainty. Reviewing the videos could mean a hundred different things, right? When we put on our specificity superhero cape, we can give clear instructions that leave no room for ambiguity. Instead of leaving it at "review the videos," we can say, "Look for continuity." We can take it a step further and say, "if there are continuity issues, please note it in this spreadsheet." Now, our team knows precisely what's expected of them and how to execute the task.
• Tone & Body Language - It's not just about the words we say, but also about how we say them and our body language.

  Imagine this: when our tone is harsh and sarcastic, it's like throwing a wrench into the gears of effective communication. Our team might not receive our message well, and it could lead to misunderstandings or even demotivation.  When we keep our tone even and composed, our team will be much more likely to understand and appreciate what we're saying.

• Next Steps - Communication with our team is like a dance, and we want to make sure they're always in sync with us. The key is to avoid leaving them guessing and instead, provide clear and specific direction.

  Imagine this scenario - we've asked our team to come up with ten brilliant ideas to pitch to a new client. Now, here's the thing: do they know when and how to deliver those ideas to us? That's where our clarity as leaders comes into play. Being specific and providing clear direction is like handing them a treasure map with the exact path to follow. We can say something like, "Please come up with ten ideas to pitch to our clients. Upload them to our shared Dropbox account and email me once they are uploaded." With that simple direction, our team knows precisely how to get us the information we need. It's like a smooth and well-coordinated movement in our communication dance.

Elevating our communications skills is like unlocking a whole new level of success for our team. When everyone knows exactly what's expected of them, it's like they're free to soar and perform at their absolute best.

 

3. Effective Listening

Learning to how to effectively listen can help us become exceptional leaders. Listening can truly elevate our team and help us lead with greatness.

Consider the following:

• Full Attention - As leaders, we wear many hats, and sometimes our plate is overflowing with tasks. But that doesn't mean we can't be attentive and caring when a team member needs us. Imagine this scenario: a team member approaches us while we're in the thick of something else. We don't want them to feel dismissed or unimportant. So, the key is finding the right time and place to give them our full attention. Instead of brushing them off with a "I can't listen; I'm too busy," we can show them that we genuinely care about what they have to say. It's like making a heartfelt promise to hear them out when we can be fully present. By acknowledging the importance of their thoughts and ideas, it's like validating their worth as a team member. We create an environment where they feel valued and respected.
• Actively Listen - The key to fostering mutual understanding with our team members is all about actively listening - and that means truly hearing and acknowledging what they have to say. Picture this: when we actively listen, it's like tuning our ears to their frequency and being fully present in the conversation. We're not just hearing the words; we're making a genuine effort to understand their thoughts and feelings. When we paraphrase what they've said, it's like turning their words into a beautiful dance of understanding. It's like saying, "I'm on the same page as you, and I get what you're saying." Instead of simply responding without acknowledging, we can say something like, "I think what you said was..." and put their words into our own. It's like a dance of connection, and it shows that we're actively engaged in the conversation. By actively listening and acknowledging their thoughts, we're building a strong foundation of trust and openness with our team. They'll know that their voices matter and that we value their input.
• Be Open To Change - As leaders, being open to change is like a compass that guides us toward success. One of the best ways to embrace change is by listening to our team members with an open heart and mind.

  Imagine this scenario: we've introduced a new system, but despite our best efforts, our team members are giving us feedback that it's not working for them. Instead of stubbornly sticking to the plan, it's time to step back and really listen to what they have to say. Being open to change is like showing our team that their voices matter and that their input is valued. We're creating an environment where their concerns are heard and respected.

Listening is a skill that's like a muscle - the more we exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Becoming better listeners can have a transformative impact on our leadership.

Listening is a journey of continuous growth and improvement, no matter where we are on the ladder. Whether we're just starting to manage our first team or overseeing hundreds of team members, there's always room to elevate our leadership skills.

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