To lead more effectively, learn Self-Leadership

Substantial research is conducted and myriad articles are written targeted at Leaders on topics such as ‘how to get the most out of your team’, ‘how to lead for high performance’ and ‘what the most successful leaders do’. Often, suggestions are primarily external: ‘set measurable goals’, or ‘hold team members accountable’. When what’s truly missing is the impact of the Leader themselves.

Our ability to manage ourselves effectively first and foremost is critical to effectively lead others. According to recent research published in Forbes, there are two primary reasons that Leaders fail:

(i) Failed relationships, and

(ii) Failure to continually learn.

In other words, a lack of knowledge, expertise or technical skill is not why even the most qualified of Leaders are failing. Where they go wrong is an inability to connect to others and evolve themselves.

In our increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world, the problems we currently face are not the problems we will face tomorrow. This means that Leaders without a grounded sense of self, or who do not tap into skillsets such as curiosity, empathy and humility, will fail to adapt to the evolving challenges we experience at work and beyond. That’s where Self-Leadership comes in.

What is Self-Leadership?

The first core pillar in the Human Leadership model, Self-Leadership, encompasses how you intentionally choose to lead your own life. This requires a developed sense of self, individual purpose and vision.

Research?into leadership?offers a succinct definition:?

"Self-leadership is having a developed sense of who you are, what you can do, where you are going coupled with the ability to influence your communication, emotions and behavior on the way to getting there."

The Human Leadership model sets out three fundamental personal attributes that make up Self-Leadership:

1. Internal Self-Awareness?- The perception of self with relation to values, personality, physical traits, purpose, strengths and weaknesses and personal aspirations.
2. Emotional Regulation?- The ability to exert control over emotional state. The practice of witnessing, understanding and regulating emotions.
3. Mastery of Control?- The deep understanding and internalisation of control. You are conscious of what's in your control and able to surrender to all else.

What does Self-Leadership look like in practice? It means you:?

> Have a deeply rooted, empowered and compassionate sense of self

> Are able to monitor your thoughts, bodily signals, and regulate your emotions and reactions?

> Have an internal locus of control that keeps you steady, grounded and capable of objectivity and calm in times of crisis and challenge.

When Leaders are able to Self-Lead,?research shows?they’re more productive, efficient, build authentic relationships better, maintain better motivation and discipline, and ultimately inspire others to follow their Lead.

It’s not the first pillar by accident: Self-Leadership is a precursor to effectively learning others. Going inward to lead yourself better is the beginning point to every successful Leadership journey.

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Curious to learn more? Join us for the?Human Leaders Mid-Year Reset:?an opportunity to stop, breathe, learn and reset for an empowered and purposeful second half of 2022 and beyond.