What do you do if you want to develop your own leadership style?

I was fortunate enough to garner diverse experiences across Asia, Africa and Europe. I actively pursued challenging projects. This helped me to adapt to different contexts as well as continuously refine my approach. I also looked at my seniors and their approach to leadership. This helped me to shape my own leadership style

To develop your own leadership style, start by reflecting on your values, strengths, and experiences to understand what kind of leader you aspire to be. Study different leadership styles and techniques, learning from successful leaders and adapting their strategies to suit your personality and goals. Practice self-awareness and seek feedback from peers and mentors to refine your approach. Experiment with different leadership methods, staying open to new ideas and continuously evolving your style based on what works best for you and your team. Embrace authenticity and lead with integrity, staying true to yourself while inspiring and empowering others to achieve common objectives.

Develop your leadership style by knowing yourself, exploring different styles, setting clear goals, practicing empathy, being adaptable, seeking feedback, and continuously learning.

Self-reflect: Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Explore styles: Research different leadership styles and see which resonate with you. Seek feedback: Ask colleagues or a mentor for honest feedback on your leadership approach. Practice & adapt: Try out different aspects of various styles and see what feels authentic for you.

Mark Twain famously stated that: “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” Read with understanding. Read and learn with the intention to synthesize your new knowledge with your unique experiences and then share what you have read to advantage others. "The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after." Newton D Baker.

Continuous learning is crucial if you have to stand at the head of a team. You cannot lead a team to success if you are not updated in your core competence. So read the research and discuss it with experts. Learn. Become your team's brain center. Give them ideas to think beyond what they do. Keep abreast of all the changes in your field. That's the best way to earn respect and mentor each member of the team. That's true leadership.

Learning is the bedrock for all of us. Even experienced leaders now. The pace of change and, for example, new tech around the corner like Web3 demands new learning curves - at all levels. This is the age of continuous learning and embracing such. The 'how to' can be done in a few ways. Who are the people, managers and leaders you admire - and what traits do they have in common. This provides the foundation for your self-learning >> then adding pillars to the foundation by accessing new research (ie The Transformational Leadership Survey 2023 from tlai.org) to understand the new needs for leadership learning; old leadership traits to modify and how existing skillsets can be modified for the modern workplace (ie virtual leadership & mngmt)

"To keep leading, keep learning." - John C. Maxwell One of the first things to learn is about yourself so be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Find out your learning style - visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Some of the ways to learn is reading leadership books and biographies, listening to podcasts, getting mentored, and discussing with others, including family, superiors, peers, and subordinates.

Leadership is a lifelong learning process. Stay curious and open-minded, seeking out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Whether it's through reading books, attending workshops, or participating in leadership development programs, commit to continuous growth and improvement as a leader.

Seeking feedback has been instrumental in my leadership journey. Once, after a team meeting, I asked for candid feedback from my colleagues. Their insights revealed blind spots I hadn't noticed. Instead of feeling defensive, I embraced their perspectives. By addressing their concerns, I strengthened team dynamics and fostered a culture of openness. Feedback isn't just about validation; it's about growth. Embrace it humbly, for it holds the keys to unlocking your full leadership potential.

Critical feedback is, unfortunately, many leaders' Waterloo. No one wants to be criticized. But as the head of a team, we need to know where we are going wrong. Simply because if we are, then our whole team suffers. So, one very critical attribute of a leader is not to let their ego get the better of them. They need to be modest and continue to learn from criticism. Team and peer feedback is a very important part of this learning process.

Actively solicit feedback from others, including your team members, colleagues, and mentors. Ask for specific examples of what you're doing well and areas where you can improve. Embrace both positive feedback and constructive criticism as opportunities for growth and refinement.

Flexibility is the cornerstone of effective leadership and personal growth. It stems from a willingness to embrace diverse perspectives and an openness to adapting one's approach. This quality transcends rigid personal traits, allowing leaders to connect deeply with a broad spectrum of individuals. Flexibility involves active listening and understanding others' viewpoints, especially when they differ from our own. Rather than imposing ideas, a flexible leader seeks to comprehend and incorporate the reasoning behind dissent. This adaptability not only enriches leadership but also unveils insights and perspectives that might have remained hidden, unlocking the full potential of collective wisdom and fostering a truly inclusive environment.

In my early leadership role, I believed a rigid approach was key. However, a project setback taught me the value of flexibility. Amidst chaos, I pivoted from micromanaging to empowering my team. Embracing adaptability transformed challenges into opportunities. Flexibility isn't just a skill; it's the cornerstone of effective leadership, allowing us to thrive in any circumstance while staying true to our guiding principles. #AdaptToThrive #FlexibleLeadership

In a leadership role, I once encountered a team member struggling with personal issues affecting their performance. Instead of reprimanding, I took time to listen empathetically. By understanding their perspective, I offered support tailored to their needs. This act of empathy not only resolved the issue but also strengthened our bond, fostering trust and loyalty. Empathy isn't just a soft skill; it's the bedrock of effective leadership, cultivating a culture of compassion and collaboration that fuels success.

In my journey as a leader, I've learned the power of regular reflection. Once, after a project faced unexpected setbacks, I took time to reflect on my approach. Through introspection, I identified areas for improvement and acknowledged my role in the outcome. This self-awareness allowed me to refine my strategies and better support my team. Regular reflection isn't just about dwelling on mistakes; it's about learning and evolving. It's a compass guiding us toward growth, ensuring our leadership remains authentic and effective.

While as a leader you should create and execute a vision, you have to make sure that this vision fits where your organisation is now. Reflect on what your company needs most. From there you can take 2 actions: adjust your vision accordingly or work on the readiness of the people around you to execute that vision. Preparing the minds is as important as leading the way. Else you might run forward alone.

Developing a personal leadership style is an introspective and dynamic process that evolves with experience, reflection, and feedback. It starts with self-awareness, and understanding your values, strengths, and gaps Exposure to different roles, industries, and challenges broadens your perspective and enhances your adaptive leadership skills. It encourages flexibility and the ability to navigate various situations effectively. Learning from experienced leaders, observing their styles, and understanding the rationale behind their decisions can offer invaluable insights. Leadership theories, models, and skills can be learned through formal education, professional development courses, and self-study.

Be ready to do what no one else did Every leadership styles you see today was developed because someone else did it. Go create your own path

Don't mimic others; blend strengths! Identify leadership traits you admire from various sources (books, mentors, historical figures) Your leadership style isn't a single thread; it's a woven tapestry. Consider the different contexts you navigate. Are you leading a brainstorming session? Embrace a playful and collaborative approach. Are you delivering difficult feedback? Solicit feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or even anonymous surveys. Use this feedback not to conform, but to refine your leadership tapestry People can sniff out inauthenticity a mile away. Embrace your quirks and vulnerabilities. Being genuine fosters trust and connection with your team

be mindful! A good leader addresses one topic at time and is usually a great active listener. The only way to do it is to be able to be fully present for long time

True leadership is about elevating those around you, whether in a community, office, or circle of friends. It's not about seeking fame but fostering a mindset of accountability and genuine involvement in every aspect of the journey. To cultivate your unique leadership style, identify the qualities that inspire you and passionately expand on them, guiding not just by ambition but by compassion and responsibility.