Getting back to leadership basics

Business team hiding their faces behind question mark signs at officeA new year brings both new opportunities and new challenges. While some are enjoying the summer with a well-earned break, many of us are now back at work, gearing up for an exciting 2017! Where ever you might be, now is a great time for us a leaders to reflect upon the key principles we hold close.  A great way to achieve this self-reflection of our leadership styles is to understand who we are and who we are aiming to be.

Business coach and former executive Mary Jo Asmus has three questions that she believes every leader should ask themselves:

  • Who am I?
  • What do I stand for?
  • What kind of person and leader do I want to be?

Why is she advocating for these questions? If you’ve been honest in your answers you might find that there is a difference between the person you are and the person that you want to be. This gives you the opportunity to focus your personal development and become a better leader over the coming months. If you find that you already are the person you want to be, try again! Everyone has scope for improvement, and only by recognising your weaknesses can you improve.

I think these questions are a great way of re-acquainting ourselves with the very essence of who we are and why we lead. Some of us come to lead through career progression, and some of us have been thrust into leadership roles. Regardless of how you came to be a leader, the responsibility to guide your team now falls on you. Thinking about who you are and the kind of leader you want to be will help guide you to where you need to be, and to be the best leader you possibly can be.

Happy leading!