The venn diagram of leadership π(or the three key elements of leadership)
Three elements of leadership
Google 'leadership traits' and you'll returnΒ 35,600,000 results.
No wonder people find leadership overwhelming.
Luckily for you, I've distilled all of this into three key elements.
Know your stuff
Know yourself
Know your team
Over the next three weeks we'll be digging into each element; what they mean and how you can use this framework to become a better leader.
#1 - know your stuff
You already know the technical element of your role - that's probably why you were promoted.Β But, knowing more about your technical role isn't what's going to make you a better leader.
Knowing your stuff is now about knowing the practices of leadership; from how to delegate, how to give feedback, what the difference between leadership and management is and how to build a team.
Where can it go wrong...
If you just know your stuff but don't know your team or know yourself, you likely won't put anything into practice and will be an expert in KNOWING leadership but not BEING a leader.
If you know your stuff and know your team but not yourself, you risk coming across as inauthentic or inconsistent to others.
And if you just know your stuff and know yourself, the chances are your attempts to apply the knowledge will fall flat as won't be relevant for the people in your team.
Of course, we can't just 'know' because, as a fortune cookie once told me, "knowing without doing is like plowing without sowing".
We need to put this knowledgeΒ into action by practicing our knowledge, trying different approaches and adapting knowledge for different situations - building the habit...
Build the habit of leadership; know your stuff
Make timeΒ - set aside timeΒ each week (putΒ it in your diary) to read a book / article about leadership
Ask others - find out how they've developed as a leader or how they'veΒ tackledΒ the challenges you're facing
Get recommendations - for must-reads, content or perspectives.Β I know someone who started a mini 'book club' with their colleague,Β each fortnight they each had to read one article and they'd catch up for coffee and tell each other what they learnt.
Not sure where to start?Β Check out my list of useful leadership resources hereΒ for you to listen / read / watch.
Build your team's elements of leadership
Want to build the elements and habits of leadership in your emerging leaders?
Get in touch to discuss your upcoming workshopΒ design andΒ facilitation needs - from lunch and learns through to multi-day sessions.
This week on LinkedIn... (in case you missed it)
Quick Tip:Β ask more questions
You are surrounded by other leaders who are full of untapped knowledge that will help you with your leadership journey.
Tip: find opportunities to pick their brains - don't wait for a formal 'Q&A' session, the morning coffee queue is a perfect spot for a leadership education intervention.
Β But what questions should I ask?!
This list by Michael Hyatt has 20 questions to get you started.Β All you have to do is pick your favourite 1-2 and have them ready and waiting.
Want to see your management or leadership challenge addressed with helpful advice and resources?Β Email me at steph@stephclarke.com and let me know what topics you'd like me to include in future newsletters.
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