Although I have been a leadership trainer and consultant for many years, I never wanted to be a leadership blogger. It’s not that I don’t enjoy writing, but rather I was uncertain about adding a blog to my weekly commitments. I feared that if I was unable to keep my word to my readers that I would not be credible. Also, I wondered whether I could offer topics that appealed to leaders of all backgrounds and interests. But as I delved into leadership blogging something very fascinating began to happen. I realized that when I shared my stories of leading, other leaders reached out to share theirs with me. I didn’t have to model my blog after anyone else’s, but just write about what I saw through my workshops and presentations. The truth was that I just had to lead my way.
Here are five truths about leading your way:
1. SHOWCASE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF
There is no sense in trying to look or act like someone else- just be you. I was so concerned that I may be different from other bloggers but soon realized that all I needed to do was share my unique leadership stories. As long as I maintained my authenticity, my leadership blogs resonated with others. Look at your authentic self and use it as a compass to lead.
[Tweet “When leaders showcase their authentic selves, they will be credible.”]
2. ALLOW YOUR STRENGTHS TO SHINE
We all have gifts and talents but may have a hard time honing in on them. Yet those strengths are what make us unique leaders. I knew that if I wrote from my heart about what I loved doing I would hit a cord with other leaders. Here are some questions to help you discover your unique strengths:
- What do others ask me to help them with?
- Where have I gotten the most positive feedback?
- What excites me the most about leading?
3. DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF HARSHLY
Whatever you finally decide to pursue in your leadership path, try not to be too critical. Just because someone says something negative or doesn’t respond in the way you had hoped, don’t beat yourself up. A wise leader once shared with me that he was amazed at why some of his blogs were so popular while others were not. He didn’t always agree with his audience but learned not to take the “lack of response” personally. That always stuck with me.
4. LOOK FOR WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH OTHER LEADERS
A huge part of leading your way is finding commonality with other leaders. In your workplace or with your clients, do you work hard to discover ways to connect? Leading your way means understanding what makes you tick and what makes those around us tick. It is being both self-aware of what energizes us and recognizing how other leaders are energized too.
- Ask other leaders about their challenges and then share yours
- Offer to help when someone is struggling
- Be a strategic listener
- Lead with your heart
[Tweet “To engage other leaders, be a strategic listener and lead with your heart.”]
5. EMPOWER YOUR CREATIVE JUICES TO FLOW
The final truth about leading your way is allowing your creativity and energy to flow. Decide what direction you want to follow and run down that road. Stay with your choice whether it be tackling different responsibilities or pursuing a new job or career. Lead with gusto and don’t look back. You deserve to lead your way!
What are your truths in leading your way? What has worked for you?
(Credit image: Flickr CC-Richard Foster)
One (of many) things I like about you is your willingness and ability to share personal stories, Terri! They are powerful because they are personal AND because you have a leader’s heart which means you really do care about people and how they learn and grow. It’s been great getting to know you and see how you work with leaders as a consultant…you’re obviously very good or you wouldn’t have so many great stories 🙂
Thanks so much LaRae for your continued support and leadership! Sharing my personal stories hopefully helps others grow too. I feel so fortunate to have met you online and then face-to-face. Your storytelling inspires all of us too!
I think that’s why I come here again and again. I’ve gotten to know the real you through your blog and social media too. When we met in person, there was no shock. You are who you say you are. You are a wonderful, warm, insightful, skilled, smart coach, trainer and leader (and how lucky am I that I can add friend to that list?) People who try to be just like someone they admire more than often miss the mark.
Alli
Thanks Alli for all your support and insights into what makes an insightful and impactful leader!
Although we can learn wonderful leadership behaviors from caring leaders, we should always remain true to ourselves and allow our strengths to shine.
Thanks for your friendship and guidance Alli! You have made me a better person and leader!
Terri – Thank you for sharing this!
It takes courage and to blog and share personal stories.
It is such a beautiful way to connect with and learn from others.
Thank you for continuing to share your stories, your wisdom and your heart!
I really enjoy blogging and sharing ideas and insights that I experience working with leaders from all different backgrounds and industries. I equally value the wonderful concepts that are generously shared on the blog from people who read my stories.
You have been so generous in sharing all of your stories with us Chery! I appreciate your goodness and leadership words.
Terri, I love ALL of your blogs. I think the greatest thing that popped out for me on this post was about ‘Just being yourself’. That’s where the fun and the brilliance happens right? Appreciate you so much and have an awesome day!
You are so right Cynthia that being ourselves and allowing our unique gifts to shine in whatever we tackle, we make us the strongest leaders. You have always followed that path and we all can feel your authenticity.
Thanks Cynthia!
Great post Terri! Especially like the “don’t judge yourself too harshly,” and the sage advice your wise leader friend shared with you to not take a lack of response personally. It’s easy to get off track from ourselves when we worry more about what will be popular than what is in us that needs to be shared. When we lead with the heart, we share stories from the heart that will ultimately connect with the heart of others.
Thanks for keeping it real! ~ Kaylene
It is easy to get off track when we are more worried about the words of others than following our authentic direction. When we lead with integrity and truth, we can never go wrong.
Thanks Kaylene!