Have you wanted to transition into a leadership role and been told that you need to be “seen as a leader” by your peers and stakeholders to be considered ready? Have you been given feedback that you need to step up, take the lead, and influence outcomes? Do you want to ace the role but need to figure out what the expectation is or how leadership skills look like in action?
See also: Single Threaded Leader at Amazon
While it may feel like a chicken-and-egg problem that you can only get people to see your leadership skills if you are given a title or a plum leadership role, it can be easy to overlook the multiple smaller opportunities. These could be leading a small project outside your area, mentoring a junior colleague, or taking initiative in a meeting. It’s not a one-shot and done; you make it part of your brand. Many of us self-limit, waiting for ‘permission’ to lead, fearing failure, or thinking leadership only happens on a grand scale. But guess what? Leadership can start small and doesn’t need to be flashy.
Becoming a leader isn’t always about titles or promotions—it’s about mindset. A leadership mindset is about taking initiative, being proactive, and influencing others towards a common goal. Leaders see opportunities where others see challenges and are resilient in the face of failure. Communicate your goals, seek mentors, and remember—you’re not alone in this journey. You deserve a seat at the table.
7 Essential Leadership Skills
Here’s how you can start showing your leadership skills today:
- Stop Waiting for Permission: Leadership is about action, not authority. Take the initiative. Be proactive; when you know the next step, do it without waiting to be asked.
- Overcome Fear of Failure: Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone. Take the leap, stay curious, and learn as you go. Embracing this mindset of resilience and continuous learning is a key aspect of leadership.
- Push Through Imposter Syndrome: You don’t need to be perfect or know everything. Embrace your strengths and act with confidence—even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
- Learn to Delegate: You can’t do everything alone. Trust others with responsibilities to scale your impact and build a stronger team.
- Take Ownership: Step up and take the reins even if you’re not 100% ready. Making yourself accountable will force you to think like a leader.
- Think Ahead: Great leaders anticipate challenges and prepare for them. Approach every task with foresight.
- Speak Up: Don’t shy away from sharing your perspective—even with senior leaders. Offering your ideas shows you’re engaged and thinking critically. Culture and society have conditioned us to be amicable. When done respectfully, questions are always appreciated!
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Related read: Embracing and Leading Change As A TPM
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