In this episode I take the Basics of Leadership a little deeper than in Episode #2. Today I discuss - 

 Know Yourself and what you bring to the organization

• Understand your skill level
  • If you work with highly skilled leaders, learn from them
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions from them
  • Work together on your development, improve you limitations
  • Seasoned leaders must be led differently than new leaders.
• The more you know you yourself, the better you can evaluate yourself realistically
  • No one knows you better than you
  • Don’t hesitate to admit your weaknesses and ask for assistance
  • Create a development plan to improve on those weaknesses
• We all have very distinct leadership styles – know what your is
  • Every organization is very different, adjust your style to fit the culture and team
  • Make slow changes that reflect who you are

 New Leaders Accept Criticism Well

• Understand, as a new leader your direct supervisor or mentor will give constructive criticism
  • On the flip side, you as a new leader must “give” constructive criticism to your teams as well. Be ready for defensiveness, challenges and anger.  
• Check your EGO – don’t get defensive
• Listen to understand, what the feedback is
  • Ask questions to clarify
  • To be better understand
  • Keep an open mind

 Create a Vision

• A vision helps everyone understand what “we could be on the future”
• Something to strive toward, a lofty goal
• Get your team to help develop it. Ask for their input and buy-in
• Communicate this vision often, give periodic updates on the progress

 Day to Day Management of your team and the business

• Set goals to achieve
• Coach your team – as a group or One on Ones   Episode 5
• Future planning
• Delegating – can help development future leaders / reduce your workload
• Employment engagement and motivation