How do you learn from your leadership experiences?

Just as I stress on the "Know Me" principle in experience design, leaders must understand their unique style. What's your leadership ethos? How do you communicate, inspire, and build relationships? The answers to these questions are your fuel. They shape your approach, foster trust and transparency, and drive you towards a path of integrity and loyalty.

One essential step is to begin with the end in mind. Ask yourself, "What do I want my team to say about me as a leader?" From there, assess the current reality and identify gaps between the desired traits and now. This will reveal where you have strengths upon which to build and weaknesses you must mitigate.

Having donned multiple hats, ranging from being a part of the US ARMY, a practicing doctor, a former CEO, Medical director, and owner of a staffing company to running a medical billing company, I have learned that each role presents its unique leadership lessons. Here's my perspective on the points shared: Identify your leadership style: Understanding my leadership style was pivotal in shaping my interactions with colleagues and subordinates. I found the DISC Personality Test particularly helpful in identifying my strengths and areas for improvement. As a doctor, I had to adapt my communication style often to effectively work with various stakeholders, which was an essential skill that my leadership roles further refined.

I completely agree that it's crucial to be aware of our leadership style. However, the key to achieving this is to first understand our own values, what motivates us, and what we can and cannot compromise on. Once we have this clarity, we can then focus on understanding the same for our team members and other stakeholders that we work with. During my time managing teams in the corporate world, I used to conduct personality tests as a fun exercise for my team. This activity helped us to identify the different communication styles and motivation factors of each team member, which in turn allowed us to build a stronger and more successful team.

Before evaluating your “How,” i.e., your style and preferences, assess your “What” and “Why.” What does the paradigm and practice of Leadership mean to you? Why have you chosen the Leadership path? Doing this fundamental exploration — honestly and periodically checking-in with your thoughts and emotions about your important work — expands self-awareness, deepens authenticity and elevates professional practice.

The most successful leaders listen to constructive feedback and make necessary changes to improve. Asking for feedback from mentors, coaches and colleagues is key!

Stagnation is the enemy of innovation. As a leader, you must not be afraid to ask, "How am I doing?" Gathering feedback is an essential part of maintaining transparency and facilitating open communication. It's not always easy to hear, but it's necessary to grow. Like my "Make It Easy For Me" principle, simplify this process—be accessible, be open, and most importantly, be ready to act on the insights you gain.

This is where our mentors and personal board of advisors are critical. I was fortunate early on in my career to have amazing leaders, that truly pour out their cup to help others learn and grow. We need to be leaders that care and support one another!

Feedback is a gift. While seeking feedback may seem straightforward, the process of both receiving and providing it can be more challenging. Receiving constructive feedback can stir discomfort, yet equally daunting is the task of providing it. Our human nature tends to avoid discomfort. Nonetheless, for those in leadership roles, it is your responsibility to provide constructive feedback to your team—promptly, consistently, and compassionately. Avoid waiting until the year-end performance review, and don't allow it to catch them off guard. Deliver feedback on the spot and consistently throughout the year, always with kindness. In doing so, you actively contribute to the growth of your staff, foster trust, and maintain their engagement.

I can't overemphasize the importance of feedback in my journey as a leader. I actively sought feedback from my peers, mentors, and even those reporting to me. Their insights often served as a mirror, reflecting aspects of my leadership style that I wasn't aware of.

Every action sparks a reaction, and every decision marks a milestone on your leadership journey. Reflect on these outcomes, both good and bad. Understand your dragons—those fears, those failures. Then, in the spirit of love and honesty, kiss them. Embrace these experiences as invaluable lessons that enrich your leadership narrative.

Taking a moment to look within is so important. Personally, I'm a thinker and strategist. Writing has become my way of unraveling thoughts, a sort of map for my ideas. You revisit actions, the why behind them, and the outcomes they unfurled. It's almost like rewinding a movie, but with a magnifying glass. I encourage fellow leaders to do the same. It’s like those conversations with friends that spark lightbulb moments. The more you write, the more you realize patterns you hadn't noticed before. Sometimes they're "aha" moments; sometimes they're "note to self" moments.

My experiences as a leader in the healthcare sector have taught me that each decision, no matter how trivial it may seem, can profoundly affect patient care and the team's wellbeing. Introspecting and reflecting on these actions and their outcomes has shaped my leadership style.

Reflecting on your actions and outcomes can help you to improve your leadership skills. Self-reflection is a core leadership competency that allows you to make thoughtful decisions, identify areas of improvement and strive to do better. Some ways to improve your leadership skills: 1. Self-awareness - Leaders take time to understand what motivates them to work in their field & pursue leadership roles 2. Communication skills - Leadership requires you to communicate constantly with various stakeholders, effectively sell them on your goals or vision and create rapport to build trust among your team 3. Find a mentor - A mentor can provide you with guidance, support, and advice when you need it most 4. Identify your strengths & weaknesses

Remember the "Surprise Me" principle? It's not just about surprising customers; it's about surprising ourselves. We must dare to try new things, to question the status quo, and to disrupt our comfort zones. In leadership, as in life, the biggest risk is not taking any risks at all.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and experimenting with new strategies was challenging but rewarding. I applied lessons from feedback and coaching, further diversifying my leadership skills and perspectives.

Experimentation can help leaders understand how their decisions affect others which can lead to better decisions. Experimenting with another person or group can also help learn about different opinions. Some ways to improve leadership skills: 1. Good communication skills 2. Find a mentor you admire & can rely on to build your leadership skills. 3. Develop your network to create more opportunities 4. Setting goals and action plan can help to define priorities, organize your time & utilize your energy & resources better. 5. Being adaptable to changes is critical for your growth and development as a leader. 6. Taking on more responsibilities that allow you to lead can help you practice leadership skills & develop key traits.

Measure your growth not only by your successes but also by the successes of those you lead. Real leaders build more leaders. It's crucial to evaluate your progress and understand the impact you have on your team and organization. This practice reinforces integrity and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

From my 23 years professional experience, i learnt below ways to evaluate one's leadership skills & impact: 1. Assess your strengths and weaknesses - Knowing your leadership style can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses 2. Seek feedback from others - Measure leadership performance such as self-assessments, 360-degree feedback, performance reviews or coaching sessions 3. Compare yourself to best practices. Appreciate employee feedback 4. Monitor your progress and results. Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. 5. Find a mentor who can provide you with guidance, support, and advice when you need it most. 6. Find leadership opportunities outside work - Volunteering to organize activities or becoming a board member

To borrow from a famous adage, It takes a village to become a great leader. One of my favorite techniques is to use group coaching sessions following training to give participants the opportunity to try the new techniques taught and discuss what they learned. In a safe environment, this allows people to be a little vulnerable and learn from one another.

Leadership isn't a solo expedition. It's a communal journey, and sharing our insights and best practices allows others to benefit from our experiences. Share with honesty, with transparency, and with a heart that genuinely desires to help others grow.

Learning from leadership experiences generally involves reflection and analysis. Leaders often assess the outcomes of their decisions, gather feedback from team members, and use these insights to improve their leadership skills. Leaders may also seek mentorship and continue their education in leadership principles and practices. Effective leadership often involves a commitment to growth and learning.

Leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth, shaped by diverse experiences. It's not about imposing authority, but fostering a shared vision and empowering others. Being agile and flexible will encourage those you lead to do so as well. Also, incorporating some active listening and empathetic communication can go a long way!

Personally i like this the best. Sharing best practices within an organization can help improve leadership skills: 1. Communication - Leaders with strong communication skills can listen to and learn from others. 2. Collaboration - Creating a direct line of communication between departments can help employees understand different roles and work together more easily. 3. Motivation - Leaders can inspire and motivate employees. 4. Empowerment - Leaders can help employees make the most of their talents by placing them in the right roles

Always seek feedback and attempt to have a growth mindset. Even the BEST leaders have room to grow. Meet, not only with other leaders, but your team to see what an idealistic leader looks like. Read. Network and connect with others outside your organization to learn from them. Be humble. Apologize when you fall short.

To be a GREAT LEADER you need the right mindset. According to me the 11 most important things are 1. Lead by example with the right mindset 2. Turn employees into high-performing leaders 3. Give your employees the tools to make their own decisions and provide ongoing feedback 4. Help leaders recognise their impact 5. Invest in leadership development and training 6. Plan for Success. A good leader plans for success 7. Listen to People. A good leader listens to his people 8. Willing to Face Challenges Head-on. Leadership is tough 9. Decisiveness 10. Ownership and Accountability 11. Forward thinking, Resourceful and Empathy