Learning to Lead

There are those who we have all encountered who are the natural born leaders of the world. 

They’re outgoing and confident, while having the tact and candor to get things done in a way that doesn’t alienate those around them. 

The point is, they were born to lead. Whether it’s because they were groomed into the position through years of learned behavior as kids, or whether they were born with ‘the gene’. 

The fact of the matter is, not everyone is born with the predisposition to lead. 

There are those who would prefer to sit in the back and make their mark in silence rather than putting themselves at the center of attention. 

Thoughts of public speaking on a large scale, approaching a team member to discuss performance, or making announcements in front of their team are all situations that they would rather avoid altogether if possible. 

So what happens when someone who isn’t a natural leader is put into a leadership role? 

Just like in any situation, they can either fade when called upon, or rise to the occasion. 

The truth is, a lot of people view leadership as a black & white thing. Either you’re a leader, or you aren’t. 

In reality, there’s a lot more that goes into it that can play a factor in a person’s ability to lead. 

Knowing yourself on a basic level is critical to learning how to lead. It goes back to a blog I had previously written about the importance of self awareness and emotional intelligence. 

If you’re an introvert, chances are you build deeper relationships on a one-on-on level rather than putting yourself at the center of attention in a large group setting to get to know people. 

In this example, It’s that genuine connection that will give a more introverted leader who seeks out those one-on-one bonds on a regular basis a team backing them. Rather than having a dozen surface-level connections with team members in which you engage all at once, chances are the introverted leader has a dozen deeper connections with those same team members forged over a longer period of time. 

It’s through that taking the time to know your team members on a personal level that we can see how leading when you’re not a natural born leader requires a high level of self awareness. 

In situations where you know there’s room for personal growth, having a higher self awareness as a leader means understanding that an outside perspective from an expert may give you a better understanding of the situation. 

That higher self awareness gives the learned leader the ability to know when and how others can help. 

But it starts with knowing yourself. 

A wise author once wrote, “Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.” 

Similarly, your own self-awareness is the greatest service you can give to your team.