What do you do if your leadership skills are not improving despite feedback and evaluation?

2 Seek Mentoring

When self-improvement stalls, seeking guidance from a mentor can provide new insights. A mentor, ideally someone with extensive leadership experience, can offer personalized advice and act as a sounding board for your ideas and concerns. They can help you navigate challenges and see things from a different perspective. Moreover, a mentor can hold you accountable for your growth and help you set realistic goals to work towards. Remember, mentorship is a two-way street; be open and receptive to the wisdom shared.

3 Diversify Learning

Leadership skills can sometimes plateau when you're only exposed to a single type of learning or feedback. Diversify your learning by attending different workshops, reading books on various leadership philosophies, or even cross-training in other departments to gain a broader understanding of your organization. This can provide you with a fresh outlook on leadership and innovative tools to apply in your role. Diverse learning experiences can also reignite your passion for leading and help you discover new methods to inspire your team.

4 Practice Consistently

Developing leadership skills is akin to building muscle; it requires consistent practice. Identify one or two key areas of improvement and consciously practice those skills every day. Whether it's active listening, effective communication, or strategic thinking, find opportunities to practice these skills in real-life scenarios. Keep track of your progress and setbacks in a journal to monitor how you're evolving over time. With dedication and persistence, you'll begin to notice subtle improvements in your leadership abilities.

5 Embrace Failure

Embracing failure is crucial for leadership development. If you're not making mistakes, you're likely not pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. When things don't go as planned, instead of getting discouraged, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Analyze what went wrong and how you can prevent similar issues in the future. Failure can be a powerful teacher, providing insights that no amount of feedback can offer. It's all about having the resilience to get back up and try again with a better strategy.

6 Adjust Expectations

Finally, it's essential to adjust your expectations regarding the pace of your leadership growth. Developing effective leadership skills doesn't happen overnight; it's a gradual process that can take years. Be patient with yourself and recognize that small incremental changes can lead to significant improvements over time. Set realistic goals for your development and celebrate the small victories along the way. Remember, leadership is a journey, not a destination, and continuous learning is part of the process.