The Self-Leadership Test: Are You Ready to Lead... Yourself First?

We’ve all heard it before: “Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge.” Well, let’s take that a step further. If you’re about to put your name in the ring for a leadership position, the first thing you need to do is ask yourself: “Can I lead myself before I even think about leading anyone else?”

I’m not talking about technical skills here — no, we’re not going to obsess over how many spreadsheets you can crunch or how impressively you can spell "synergy" without a spell-checker. No, what we're focusing on is something a little more... soft. Yes, it’s time to get cozy with your own mindset, strengths, weaknesses, and that thing that sometimes we all ignore: your self-awareness.

The Great Leadership Myths

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's address some classic myths about leadership that tend to distract the wannabe leaders out there:

1. Myth #1: Leadership is all about technical skills

That’s a hard no. Can you analyze data? Great. But can you manage conflict? Lead a team through a crisis? Motivate others when the coffee machine is broken? That's what really matters in leadership.

2. Myth #2: You have to have it all figured out

Spoiler alert: No one has it all figured out. Leaders are always learning. If you’re waiting for the day when you feel like the next Steve Jobs, you're going to be waiting a long time. True leadership comes from embracing that you don’t have all the answers but are willing to find them — and listen to others.

3. Myth #3: Leadership is a title

Here's a thought: the title is nice, but being a leader is about your actions, not your business card. If you need a title to tell you when to lead, you’re in the wrong mindset entirely.

Self-Analysis: The Secret Sauce to Leadership

Now that we’ve debunked a few myths, let’s get into the real juice: self-analyzing. Yep, that’s right. The first step to being a great leader is looking in the mirror (figuratively, of course — unless you like talking to your reflection, no judgment).

Here are a few key areas to consider before applying for that shiny leadership role:

1. Mindset: Are You a Growth Junkie or a Fixed-Thinker?

Mindset matters more than you think. In fact, it's the foundation on which your leadership will either thrive or crash and burn. In her groundbreaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, psychologist Carol Dweck draws a powerful distinction between a "growth mindset" and a "fixed mindset."

A fixed mindset is the belief that your abilities are static and can't really be changed. A growth mindset, on the other hand, is all about learning and evolving — even when the going gets tough.

If you're applying for a leadership position, ask yourself: Are you constantly looking for ways to improve, or do you believe you've reached your peak and it's downhill from here?

If you're still stuck in your ways and prefer to “stick to what works,” leading others through change is going to be... a challenge. You have to be adaptable and willing to grow, not only for your own sake but for your team too.

2. Know Your Strengths (And Own Them)

Ever met someone who downplays their own strengths because they don’t want to seem “too confident”? Yeah, don’t do that.

Knowing your strengths is critical for two reasons: it gives you the confidence to lead, and it helps you understand where you can delegate. In leadership, the secret to not micromanaging is knowing when to let go. If you’re brilliant at setting strategy, but not as good at the nitty-gritty details, find someone who is. Great leaders know their limitations and surround themselves with people who fill those gaps.

Pro-tip: If you’re not sure what your strengths are, ask around. Your colleagues probably know better than you do — or at least, they’ll be brutally honest. Either way, you’ll get the information you need.

3. Recognize Your Weaknesses (And Work on Them)

Let’s be real: no one is perfect. If you think you’re flawless, go ahead and check if you have a halo above your head, because that’s the only thing that might make you perfect.

But weaknesses don’t have to be a dealbreaker. They’re opportunities to improve. As a leader, if you’re weak at something — say, emotional intelligence or conflict management — address it! Take courses, read up, ask for feedback. The point is: don’t ignore them.

Imagine you’re in the middle of a high-stakes team meeting. Someone challenges your idea, and instead of listening, you shut down. Now, you’ve just demonstrated a weakness in your emotional intelligence. The smart move? Acknowledge it, learn from it, and do better next time.

4. Soft Skills: The Unsexy but Critical Ingredients of Leadership

Let’s talk about what really separates good leaders from great ones: soft skills. Yes, communication, empathy, and listening skills.

You might think you can “get by” without them, but consider this: How well can you communicate your vision when a crisis hits? Can you make tough decisions and still keep your team motivated? Can you listen to your team's concerns without brushing them off? These skills are vital.

If you can’t communicate clearly, you might as well be holding a fire drill and hoping people understand why you’re yelling about the exits. As a leader, you need to connect, engage, and motivate people. If you can’t do that, you’ll lose people — and you’ll never know why.

5. Self-Leadership: Can You Lead Yourself?

Before you can lead a team, you must first lead yourself. Ask yourself these tough questions:

- Do you have the self-discipline to stay on task even when it’s not exciting?

- Can you make tough calls, even when they go against your personal preferences?

- How do you manage stress and pressure? (Because, spoiler alert: there will be plenty of it)

If you struggle to lead yourself effectively, it’ll be pretty hard to help others do the same. Leadership starts with personal accountability.

Conclusion: Lead Yourself, Lead Others

At the end of the day, leadership is less about managing tasks and more about leading people — including yourself. When you take the time to honestly assess your strengths, weaknesses, mindset, and soft skills, you set yourself up for success. And while technical skills are nice, they won’t help you navigate the murky waters of leadership challenges, especially when it comes to people.

So, if you’re gearing up to apply for a leadership position, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “Am I ready to lead myself first?” If the answer is yes, then go ahead — the world is waiting for your authentic leadership. If not, maybe spend a little more time in the mirror.

Remember: leadership isn’t just a position, it’s a mindset. And it starts with YOU!