we must state our willingness to take up certain roles should they become vacant . We must keep our sponsors up to date with our progress and seek their guidance on how to fill development gaps . This is a pillar that most of us ignore because we believe our work will speak for itself .
Build on your learning & change agility
Leaders learn every day . The current environment is what is now referred to as VUCA - Volatile , Uncertain , Complex and Ambiguous . Macro-economics are impacting customers negatively , inflation , war in Ukraine , Covid-19 , high prices of commodities , etc . As leaders you need to quickly adapt to the changes and seek the opportunities that present themselves in the midst of chaos . This is a critical muscle to build to succeed in the current times we live in . How ? Take up new assignments , volunteer to support an area that is struggling , take online course that guide on the attitude needed to succeed in these times .
Seek the guidance of a coach
As a certified coach and a coachee , I can honestly confess that the leadership journey should not be taken alone . There are professionals who can guide you in navigating the current and future challenges you might face with clear outcomes . There are numerous organizations offering coaching services . Most companies now have employees who are certified coaches who are at hand to offer support . Invest in a coach .
Deliver on your objectives
One of my bosses referred to this as performance currency . For people to even consider you , you must deliver on your KPIs . Gain clarity on the KPIs , the drivers for success and pursue them to deliver and exceed expected outcomes .
Make sound and timely decisions
One key frustration most staff voice is slow decision-making processes . We have
all been there . Being able to quickly assess with tools and models the right decisions to make enables teams to accelerate execution . As you rise up the ladder , decision making without all the facts becomes a key skill to have . Practice it every day . It will strengthen your ability to make the right judgement based on the circumstances and hence take the right call . Whatever decision is made , as a leader , we should be able to take responsibility for the decision that we have made .
Political awareness
In an online publication medium . com , David Owasi describes this simply as the understanding of the power and influence webs in an organization and the ability to navigate them to achieve goals and get things done . Every organization and work environment , he continues , has its invisible system and network of connections and influence . Many people are oblivious to this below-the-radar world while others have a good mastery of it . Outstanding performers understand and have a good grasp of this and the higher one climbs in the organization the more important this quality becomes . In the same article , David quotes Harvey Coleman ’ s book - Empowering Yourself , where he asserts that how well you do in your job has little to do with how well you do in your career .
David goes on to give more insights on the book by stating that , one ’ s career progression is based on a combination of performance , image and exposure :
- Delivering on performance accounts for 10 % of your career progression . - Image ( accounts for 30 % of your career progression ): this is what others think about you - reputation , personal brand , are your positive , enthusiastic , helpful , do you work well in teams , etc .
- Exposure ( accounts for 60 %): this is who you know and what they know about you . Tips on how to grow exposure - speak up in meetings , volunteer in high visibility projects , introduce yourself to the leadership team and articulate projects done , ask to be introduced to senior leadership . As leaders of teams provide exposure for your teams in meeting so they get an opportunity to shine and be seen .
My hope is that this article will start to create opportunities of pathways we can take towards growing our leadership journey . Remember it ’ s a marathon not a destination and everyday along the way will be a moment to learn . So enjoy the marathon !
Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi is the Ag . Chief Consumer Business Officer , Safaricom PLC . You can commune with her on this or related matters on email at : Fawziakimanthi @ gmail . com .