Leadership isn’t about the title nor the salary, but being a role model whom others want to emulate. Anyone can be a leader — from the person sweeping the workroom floor at the end of the day, to the president who issues a media statement outlining her company’s new dress code.
Leadership is about what you do every single day, It’s not your talk, but your walk. In all sectors, for-profit, nonprofit, social good or any other legal configuration, leaders are created by their actions.
Here are three things you can do to develop your own leadership skills.
LISTEN: There’s a reason we are born with two ears and one mouth. A leader understands people need to be seen, heard and understood. Ask questions and truly listen for the responses. Repeat back people’s points to gain clarity. This requires a great deal of empathy to put yourself in someone else’s shoes while trying to gain new perspectives. One of the most challenging aspects of listening is putting aside your own biases and beliefs to try to understand someone with radically different thinking on any subject. But, if you can do that, and develop empathy for someone else’s journey, you’re on your way to being a leader.
LEARN: Some of the strongest leaders I’ve ever met don’t have a college degree. Instead, they’ve taken the time to keep learning, always. If you have an advanced degree or special credentials, good for you. But never, ever rest on those credentials. The best leaders never stop learning, never stop growing. Good leaders know other people have skills and abilities that surpass them and are willing to listen and learn from people who know more.
There’s a school of thought that the skills you have today will be completely outdated in five years. Leaders are always willing to learn new and better ways to do the same work. They are open to change, acknowledging how difficult it can be, and how necessary change is in all things. Leaders frequently become early adopters, willing to test and try new methods and new products.
LITERACY: Leaders who are listening and learning, are automatically going to be literate. But in this case, literacy means the ability to sift through the massive deluge of information to evaluate the source of the information. Leaders read widely and know the value of truthful information. They read a wide variety of media across multiple political spectrums and seek original, peer-reviewed research. They recognize propaganda for what it is, listening of course, but evaluating. Leaders do not allow themselves to be used by people who are less trustworthy to carry a one-sided, incorrect message. They do acknowledge their own biases and will seek out opposing viewpoints simply to become more literate about issues. Being able to evaluate sources is a critical skill for a leader.
Anyone can develop these three skills. In addition to becoming a stronger leader, you’re also going to become a better human, too.
Writer and Raconteur 