How to get promoted blog 3: Leadership

One of the questions I’m often asked in the coaching room is "which leadership model shall I use?" There are so many different models out there, so being able to recommend the right one to the right individual is tough. The key point in the context of promotion is that it is more than likely that you will need to show the “green shoots” of leadership potential ahead of that longed-for promotion.

I have a simple starting point if you are looking for a handy leadership model. I call it the Leader Compass as it gives the user four different dimensions to think about when leading. Here’s a brief explanation of each point on the compass:

Self: being consistently in the right frame of mind – self-aware (see last’s week’s blog) and self-reflective. Critical elements of being a successful leader.

Team: we can’t do it alone. How do we take our colleagues with us and create the functioning teams we need? Leadership means empowering people to make the right decisions when appropriate. Often, we need to see the wider perspective and "course correct" with them.

Client: having internal or external clients in the room (whether physically, virtually or metaphorically) is absolutely vital. How do we get their voice into our ways of working at the right time? How do we get their support in our development and, ultimately, that promotion.?

Organisation: if you lead part of an organisation, is yours the team to be in or the transfer to avoid? If you lead the whole business, almost inevitably, in part, it will be a reflection of you. Is this something to aspire to or to navigate away from?

As leaders, we need to operate in a multi-dimensional way, and it is here that the Leader Compass can help. Are you thinking about your various interactions in the right dimensions? For example, have you considered how a new challenge might impact your team in a different way than it impacts you? What is the client impact likely to be, and how might it affect their relationship with your business?

Even used as a simple check list, the Leader Compass can give you more confidence that a particular challenge is being considered in the round – helping you make better decisions. Start using it ahead of any promotion process and you will be able to point to these proactive leadership activities as evidence of your potential as a leader, and your current and future value to your organisation.