REFLECTION
Leadership : It ’ s A Marathon . Enjoy The Journey !
By Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi
As we start our careers in any organization , we are filled with optimism and energy that with hard work we will be able to succeed and rise up the ranks , in time , to the top .
We look at the managers in the glass offices with jaded eyes wondering how they got there . For most of us we make a quiet promise to ourselves that one day , we will be there .
The reality of life is that some of us make it and some of us do not . Some of us do not understand why we did not make it ; most of us wish we had someone to guide us through our journey ; give us the tips we need to navigate the road to leadership .
In reality , many of us do not even know where to start . Making this statement out loud will surprise you - people around you will be willing to assist .
In this article I would like to offer 10 tips that I have learnt in the leadership journey . I continue to be a student of leadership ; each day being like a new day to learn and improve .
Self-awareness
I know it sounds weird but being clear about who we are , what is important , what our strengths and weaknesses are is very important . We are encouraged to collect feedback regularly . In addition , there are leadership assessment tools that one can use to understand oneself better . The Myers Briggs type indicator is an introspective indicator that helps one understand themselves better ; understand how they perceive the world and also how they make decisions ; the Clifton Strengths assessment helps individuals identify and build on their greatest strengths . By leading from our strengths , we have a higher probability to succeed . We should all invest in ourselves and understand who we are .
Clarity of vision
People want to be led by people who have a clear vision and direction . Irrespective of your role , spend some time reflecting on what you would like to achieve both in the short term and in the long term . Ensure the vision is inspirational with big hairy
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People want to be led by people who have a clear vision and direction . Irrespective of your role , spend some time reflecting on what you would like to achieve both in the short term and in the long term . Ensure the vision is inspirational with big hairy audacious goals that inspire for results . audacious goals / outcomes that inspire for results .
Choose the right team
Without the right team , the vision will not be executed with excellence . In Jim Collins book , How the mighty fall , he states , ‘ start with the who , then the what ’. If you already have a team , identify their skillset and what they will deliver for the team . If they have minor gaps , have a clear development plan and support the team . Once you have the right team , support them to succeed and grow . Make a point to connect with your team and be genuine in providing a good environment for their success .
Build relationships with peers and teams across the business
Invest in building relationships by being supportive and also accepting support , be positive , ask for help , be honest and communicate openly , and better yet try to connect at a personal level . Seek to work on shared objectives together for the benefit of the business . Be intentional about seeking and building these relationships .
Get a sponsor ( s )
We need a person / people who can speak on our behalf when we are not in the room . Identify a key decision maker in your organization and gain exposure from them . For a sponsor to confidently speak on our behalf we must have a good track record of performance , we must seek them out and highlight our plans and goals . Further
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