How do you support your leadership and mentoring activities?

Do you know what happens way too often in leadership? Way, way too often? Leaders act like they've swallowed an encyclopaedia of solutions. We think we need to have all the answers. You don’t have all the answers. Nobody does. It’s ok to be the student, even when you’re supposed to be in the driver’s seat. I ask for feedback as often as I can. It’s kind of awkward but I do it anyway. I ask my boss every time we meet. Same goes with my team members or my peers. We meet once a week for an hour and I ask “How am I doing?”. Also, I listen. A lot. I ask what others may call “dumb” questions. I’m not afraid of looking stupid. My learning curve flattens especially when I join a new team.

Great leaders excel at communicating clearly. They understand that effectively conveying their vision, goals, and expectations to their team is pivotal for success. Their proactive approach to ensure clarity set them apart. To begin with, great leaders are receptive to feedback. They actively seek input from their team members, recognizing that the perspectives and insights of those on the front lines are invaluable. They genuinely listen and take their team's concerns seriously. Great leaders maintain an open-door policy. They create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, questions, and ideas. This openness fosters a culture of transparent communication, where everyone's voice is heard and respected.

Even leaders need feedback. People often view the cycle as one-directional. But in an effective system, leaders will seek and receive feedback from all directions.

Being in authority or a leadership position, may lead the success to go over your head. You may feel like flying too high. The key is keep your feet in ground. Remain humble. Gratitude & heart over head as well. Hence, be open to feedback. Be transparent, be open. Create that habit of taking in feedback. Yes take feedback from different levels. 1. From trusted confidants. 2. From honest critiques 3. From general masses. These 3 levels have different significance. ?? is trusted opinions and are reliable. ??Could be always critical analysis and competitive, vital for growth. ?? feedback is general public opinion & third perspective. 360 feedback is one way. Informal is also great on a coffee. Anonymous survey too are effective

Embrace openness in learning from your team. Proactively seek their insights on how you can better support them and improve. It's about constant growth and collaboration both ways.

Success is seldom a solo journey; it's a collaborative effort. One of the most powerful catalysts for personal and professional growth is having a mentor. I firmly believe that every professional should actively seek out and embrace mentorship. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have received invaluable guidance and support from various individuals, starting with my parents, who instilled in me the values of hard work and determination. Along the way, I've been blessed with the presence of great friends and mentors who have played pivotal roles in my journey. So, I encourage you to seek mentorship actively. Whether you're just starting your career or seeking to advance further, having a mentor will help you.

Sometimes, all we need is some mentoring in life. Being a loner or being overconfident is not a strength. We may need guidance from someone who have had swing the same ropes. Find a mentor who guides and inspires you. Some always open and transparent about critical feedback. Some who challenges you to grow further. A mentor can take different shapes sizes and purposes. It could be someone younger than you. A sports mentor could be different from religious mentor too. A professional trainer or coach at the office could act as a mentor. Someone in your family who you aspire to follow can be another example. Join mentoring groups. Some organizations have mentoring clubs too. Find a mentor, who you look up to for growth.

The culture of continuous learning has to be nurtured as a Leader. We meet new people, the bring us opportunity to learn something new. Observe, Ask Questions, Take guidance, Shadow and learn from thorough professionals. There must be something they do different, maybe they do something better than us, there is something we can learn from others. Social learning is 70% of learning. A collaborative learning environment is the best one. Join clubs or interest related memberships. Participate in networking events, trade shows and conferences. The exposure and learning here will b unparalleled. Seminars or Webinars are another avenue. Lastly, listening to podcasts or read great books newsletters and articles opens perspectives via people

Success is rarely a solitary endeavor; it often relies on the guidance and support of others. This collaborative journey begins in our earliest years with the guidance and care of our parents. As we grow, the pursuit of knowledge becomes a lifelong commitment. Whether it's through reading books, attending courses, or seeking wisdom from mentors, the path to success is paved with continuous learning. One invaluable aspect of this journey is mentorship. Every professional, regardless of their field, can benefit from having a mentor. A mentor is someone who has walked the path you aspire to tread and has a wealth of experience to share. Having a mentor is like having a personal guide through the complexities of your chosen field.

Have you ever felt a genuine sense of pride for the accomplishments you've achieved? It's essential to pause and reflect on your life's journey, acknowledging both the victories and the setbacks along the way. Taking this time for self-reflection is a crucial aspect of your personal and professional growth. Reflection isn't just about self-congratulation; it's also an opportunity to learn and grow. In those moments of introspection, you gain valuable insights. You understand what worked well, what didn't, and why. It's a chance to refine your approach, adjust your course, and set new goals. In essence, reflection is the compass that guides your journey towards continuous improvement.

It is important to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Leaders can feel very lonely at the top, creating an environment where there is enough support and scope to fail allows the mentees to take risk and step out of their comfort zone.

Bring others into your actions. I include the team as often as possible to ensure that any change is one supported by a network or framework

Reflecting on my own journey, I am aware of the role that others have played in my success. Their guidance, wisdom, and support have been instrumental in shaping my professional growth. Without their contributions, my path would have been much more challenging, if not impossible. In essence, embracing the support and knowledge of others is a fundamental principle of success. It's an acknowledgment that we don't have to reinvent the wheel; there are those who have gone before us. Collaboration and mentorship are pillars of strength on the road to achieving our goals. So, as you navigate your own journey towards success, don't hesitate to seek the guidance of mentors and the wisdom of those who have traveled similar paths.

A leader should always walk with the team in order to be more effective. Here are a few things which a leader can do - # Share the goals set for the year and give ownership to each team member to achieve these goals. # Strategize with the team how to achieve these goals, sharing knowledge but encouraging membes to share their practical experience. # Provide opportunity to every member to share their ideas and concerns along with challenges. # Listen to every idea without judgement and consolidate. #Discuss with a mentor to arrive at a logical pathway for achieving the goals. # Use a decision matrix before making a decision. # Mentor the members who have challenges in accepting the path to achieve the goals.

Some other ways are - Create accountability partners - Identify regular check-in mechanisms - Share/use tools - Practice a tracking system