Rule #1 Leadership Isn't Easy

Being a leader is much harder than it looks. It's not easy however it's definitely worth it. If you are like most of us - you want to leave a legacy of making an impact. A difference? Where you have made the world and the people on this planet better somehow. Don't you think? This is why we are today beyond passionate about advising, teaching, motivating and coaching entrepreneurs, CEO's, SME's and the great leaders of today and tomorrow.

I didn't realise how important leadership was until I started working in a space where I was teaching and coaching it. I saw the difference it made. It is been the most important part of how I lead my businesses too. Why? Because we lead the culture and culture eats strategy for breakfast.

There might be thousand's of books on leadership and I have contributed three to the world myself. They don't really teach you leadership at school do they either? What's difficult about leadership is that nobody ever sits you down and "teaches" you what being a real leader is all about. Even in the higher education arenas, leadership is reduced to most of the time who is going to talk the most during a presentation. And even on sports teams, the leaders are usually the best players.

But that's not what being a leader is all about. Especially when it comes to building a business or leading a team.

This Is What I Have Since Learned About Leadership And What Makes It So Incredibly Difficult.

Leadership really has nothing to do with the title or role you hold.

The moment you start your own company, with employees, overheads, KPI's and cash flow to manage, and people's lives dependent upon you and your ability to provide for the company, you suddenly realise how many "I want to be a leader or an entrepreneur" are out there. They want to call themselves a CEO more than they actually want to build a working company. They want to talk about raising huge amounts of money instead of questioning how they could achieve the same result on their own. They want to be seen as a leader instead of mastering the one thing that actually makes a leader a real leader.

Courage...

Courage to know that it isn't easy and keep moving forward.

It's the ability to be courageous when times are tough.

When everyone else is stressed, you're courageous.

When everyone else is out of gas, you inject more courage.

When everyone else doesn't know what to do next, you lead by example.

When times are uncertain, you stay courageous and real.

When someone has an issue, you work with and listen to the person on a personal level.

This is where most leaders fail, and I see it happen every single day. The moment someone moves into a position of leadership, the person believes that everyone else should accommodate his or her needs--when actually it's the opposite.

As a leader, it's up to you to put yourself second, and operate in a way that allows others to feel at ease and safe, to feel understood, and to work in the way that's best for them--even if it's not the way you operate. As a leader, you role is to inspire them learn more, be more and do more.

Here's Why Leadership Is So Tough

What makes this mentality so difficult is that, in every capacity, it asks that you, as a leader, put yourself last.

It's a removal of the ego. You can't just rage out of impatience, or get upset because other people aren't working the way you want them to work. You can't show your frustration--even if everyone else is. You can't sit back and complain when times get tough. You have to be the positive force that changes the tide.

You, as a leader, have to take a step back from your impulsive, emotional reactions, and instead operate from a place of calm understanding, kindness and courage. And that's a skill that isn't taught in school or clubs, or even on sports teams.

It's learned through watching and learning from others closely who embody these traits and also building your own inner courage and strength.

And it's learned through diligent self-inquiry and reflection, and constantly practicing the art of being resilient, passionate and brave.

Leadership isn't easy and sometimes we need help.

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Make Time for your Leadership Development

How do we make time to learn leadership when we are too busy? I wrote a blog a while back about being over hearing people talk about being ‘too busy’ - and how I was guilty of it myself for a long time - here is one of my blogs on the topic of 'being busy!".. The fact of the matter is that you need to make time for your goals and that nobody is really as busy as they claim they are. We all have time we can utilise if we are serious about making changes.

Leadership development is the same; you can’t be a great leader if you don’t continually develop your leadership skills. No leader is perfect; there is no level you reach as a leader where complacency about your growth becomes acceptable. The great leaders among us are those that recognise that there is always room for improvement within themselves, and that is worth making time for.

When you think you’re too busy to work on your leadership, here’s how you can make the time and further develop yourself as a leader:

Build Your Confidence

You need to be confident to develop your leadership skills; it’s the same as with any skill. Practice speaking to yourself with kindness, including finding a mantra you can say to yourself every morning - and whenever you need a boost of confidence. When you say something to yourself enough times, you’ll begin to believe it. Do it while you’re brushing your teeth, or before you step out the door - there’s always time for a quick pep talk with yourself!

An example of a mantra I love for confidence-building is: “I am enough. I am worthy. I have achieved great things, and I will continue to do so.”

Look For Lessons You Can Relate To Leadership In What You Read Or Watch

No matter how busy we tell ourselves we are, we always seem to find time for the things we like doing. This includes watching our favourite shows or scrolling through our favourite blogs - and there's a way to make this work for your leadership development!

Many movies, tv shows, blogs and books contain content that, if you approach with a leadership mindset, can be used to teach yourself leadership lessons. By actively looking out for messages in the content you watch or read, you're making time for your leadership development in a simple way.

Set Aside 20 Minutes Each Day For Your Development

Everybody can find 20 minutes in their day, no matter how 'busy' they are. Like looking for lessons in the content you read or watch, this should also become a habit. Making your 20 minute development period a non-negotiable will have a large impact on your growth as a leader.

Whether you commit to waking up 20 minutes earlier in the morning, using 20 minutes of your commute, or carving out the time in any other part of your day, there are many activities you can do to help yourself grow. Listen to leadership-related podcasts or audiobooks, watch TED Talks, browse the resources on LinkedIn - there are many things you can do in as little as 20 minutes each day.

Find out more about our Leadership Credentials

Reflect On Learning Opportunities From Your Daily Interactions

Leaders who meditate on their communication daily will quickly develop a deeper understanding of effective leadership interaction.

Whether you make notes throughout the day or undertake an overall reflection at the end of each day, you'll learn what strategies do and don't work and find opportunities for improvement in your next interactions.

How Do You Make Time For Your Leadership Development?

If you aren't already putting enough time into your growth, don't stress! As long as you make the commitment today and start creating these new habits, that's what is most important.

Don't overload yourself - pick one of these tips and start doing it today, tomorrow, and the next day. Then slowly add more in so that you're overwhelmed.

I love to listen to podcasts and sit down with great books as simple ways to develop my leadership without hiding behind 'busy'. Instead of scrolling through my phone before bed, I pick up a leadership-related book. It's as easy as that to make time for your leadership!

Being Courageous as a New Leader

Taking the next step from team member to an effective leader isn't easy. Leaders have much more to shoulder than the average employee. They must model the behaviour they wish to see in their team; they must be resilient, strong, authentic, kind, and courageous.

Bravery comes in many different forms. As an aspiring leader, these are the types of courage you'll need to become a great and effective leader.

You need the courage to…

Be yourself

Stop trying to be someone you're not; who you think others expect you to be. Being inauthentic is being insincere. You will never have strong relationships in your career or stand out if you act this way. Being unapologetically you is what endears you to others, and your authenticity allows you to make a bigger impact in many areas of your leadership.

Chase a career that fits with your purpose

You don't need to have some grand vision for your ‘why’. Not everyone wants to be the next prime minister or the CEO of a multinational company - and that's okay.

Discover your purpose and what you value the most, then aim to make that part of your work. You’ll have a lot more confidence when you’re sure that what you’re doing is helping you towards your dream career.

Not always going for the easy option and play it safe

Bad things happen in life, whether you avoid risks or take them. So, while playing it safe means you only?potentially?avoid a challenge, you’re also missing out on opportunities for growth and improvement. Those who do great things do so by taking a chance and stepping out of their comfort zone. Leaders who are willing to be uncomfortable and take risks are the most inspiring.

Ask for feedback - positive and negative

Any emerging leader must understand that seeking regular feedback is key to learning and growing.?It's not enough to wait for performance reviews, as they are usually spaced far apart and by then it could be too late to get back on track. Use any feedback to start changing things that aren't working, including your approaches.

It can hurt hearing negative feedback, especially when it’s delivered by someone who isn’t practised in doing so effectively, so you must be able to control your reactions. Accepting the feedback you’ve asked for, no matter what it is or how it’s said, will show people that it’s okay to be honest with you. That's how you get the most unbiased and effective feedback.

Let others take the spotlight, and give credit when and where it’s due

The most empowering leaders are those who have the trust in their team members to let them take charge when a suitable opportunity arises. Being brave and relinquishing control when it's in the best interests of the team, the job, or the company as a whole allows others to grow and step into their own leadership.

You should also be sure not to take credit for things that your team have done or suggested, or they will stop doing their best work. Recognition is a powerful motivator.

Strongly and effectively communicate with management

Even if you have mastered the art of communication with your team and with clients, you are still not as effective as you could be without being able to speak up to those above you.?

Much like communicating with your team it's important that you understand your leaders so that you can adapt your communication style to suit their decision-making styles and goals.?Your management will also respect you a lot more if you are brave enough to deliver bad news in a confident and truthful way.

Get back up every time you stumble or fall

Everybody faces challenges and setbacks. What sets great leaders apart is that even if they have faced countless rejections they will still keep trying. The lesson is simple: you can never give up because that's no way to reach your goals. You never know when your next attempt will be the successful one, so you cannot afford to stop trying if you want to make a difference.

This resilience is also infectious and inspiring; it's definitely a trait you want to impart on your team members.

Nelson Mandela says it perfectly: “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” And how do we conquer fear??By being sure in who we are, what we're doing and why. This is what you draw on to find and harness your courage.

By?Sonia McDonald?– CEO Of?LeadershipHQ?And?McDonald Inc.?Leadership Coach, Global Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, CEO And Award Winning Author.

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Sonia is passionate about her voice. When Sonia speaks, everyone in the room feels like she is having a conversation with them as her audience will feel as if they are the only one in the room. She speaks from the heart. She is brave. She wants everyone to be brave. She is an impactful and motivational leadership expert and speaker that creates a life-changing experience. People call Sonia sassy, inspirational, real and a speaker who leaves a lasting impression. Her high-energy, authenticity and humour combined with actionable and practical advice, empowers her audience and provides them with great drive and confidence to take courageous actions and inspire great leadership in all aspects of their lives.

Sonia also is founder of LeadershipHQ and McDonald Inc. and is also a renowned and award-winning author, having written several of her own books, Leadership Attitude, Just Rock It! and First Comes Courage as well as being a regular contributor in The Australian, HRD Magazine, Smart Healthy Women and Women’s Business Media. She was named as one of the Top 250 Influential Women in the world as well as Top 100 Australian Entrepreneurs by Richtopia.

Through her leadership advisory and coaching work at LeadershipHQ, and founding the Outstanding Leadership Awards, Sonia is internationally recognised as an expert in leadership and culture, organisational development, neuroscience, kindness, and courage.

Sonia is also a full-time single parent and has a passion for women in business and teenage mental health. Sonia travels and speaks across Australia and Globe, and she is on a mission to building a world of great leaders and leadership.