Unveiling Your Leadership Identity: A Guide to Finding Your Unique Style

Discovering your unique leadership style is a journey of self-exploration that unveils a blend of qualities and approaches that define your identity as a leader. Recently, a client asked me, "What is my leadership style?" This inquiry prompted a deep exploration of leadership intricacies, leading me to ponder the significance of leadership style and its impact on shaping our professional paths.

Definition of Leadership Style:

Your unique leadership style encompasses a personalized set of values, behaviors, and decision-making approaches that guide a leader in achieving personal and organizational goals. This distinct way of leading and influencing others goes beyond mere management techniques. Just like everyone has unique strengths, weaknesses, and experiences, each leader also possesses a distinctive leadership style.

Your leadership style is the fingerprint of your leadership journey—a culmination of your experiences, values, and innate qualities. It shapes the culture of your team, influences your decision-making, and ultimately determines your impact on those you lead.

How do you find your leadership style?

I recommend reflecting on your professional journey and identifying moments where you excelled as an individual contributor or manager. Think about times when you surpassed expectations and felt genuine accomplishment and fulfillment. Take note of the key factors that contributed to your success in those instances.

When I asked my client about their success, they immediately began listing external factors such as the company, the leadership, and the culture. While acknowledging the impact of these external elements is essential, this exercise aims to redirect their focus inward. It encourages them to delve into their actions and behaviors and identify the specific skills or qualities that contributed to their success. By taking an introspective approach, they can uncover what worked well in those situations and what truly matters to them as a leader.

It is common to credit success solely to external factors. However, this exercise serves as a gentle reminder that your distinct leadership approach is, to some degree, a reflection of your values, strengths, and genuine self. Recognizing the internal elements that fueled your achievement gives you valuable perceptions of the fundamental traits that propel your leadership effectiveness.

To assist you in your quest to define your leadership style, here are additional key steps to consider:

• Self-reflection: Take the time to reflect on your professional and personal experiences. What challenges have you overcome? What successes have you celebrated? These moments often hold the key to understanding your leadership approach.
• Feedback: Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and team members. Others' perspectives can provide valuable insights into your leadership style and its impact on the work environment.
• Values Alignment: Identify your core values and examine how they align with your leadership decisions. A congruence between your values and actions will strengthen your authenticity as a leader.
• Adaptability: Recognize that your leadership style may evolve over time and in different situations. Adapting and incorporating various leadership approaches is valuable in a dynamic professional landscape.

What distinguishes leadership philosophy from leadership style?

Your leadership philosophy is the "why" behind your leadership—your guiding principles and core beliefs—while your leadership style is the "how" or the practical application of those principles in your leadership role. Your philosophy informs your style, and your style reflects the embodiment of your philosophy in action. Both are integral to effective leadership, providing a cohesive framework that aligns your beliefs with your leadership practices.

Let's look at an example from my client call, we realized some of their leadership styles were? Focus, Prioritization, and Clarity:

• Focus: Your leadership style, aligned with the philosophy, emphasizes the importance of focus. For example, you consistently steer conversations toward key priorities during team discussions, ensuring that everyone understands the critical objectives. This aligns with your belief that a focused team will more likely achieve its goals efficiently.
• Prioritization: As a leader, you exemplify the philosophy of prioritization by consistently helping your team identify and focus on the most important tasks. Through your actions, you communicate the philosophy that success is not just about working hard but working on what truly matters.
• Clarity: Your leadership style incorporates clarity by ensuring that communication is transparent, concise, and easily understandable. You foster an environment where ambiguity is minimized, aligning with your philosophy that a clear understanding of goals and expectations enhances team performance.

To help you discover your leadership style, here are some extra questions you can consider:

What does a high-performing org mean, and how do you get there?

What is your approach and process for hiring new employees?

How would you define the qualities that make a person a good engineer or manager in your opinion?

How do you effectively handle employee performance management and foster their professional development?

What is your approach to forming teams and motivating them to perform well?

What are the core values that guide your leadership decisions?

How do you handle conflicts within the team, and what role do you play in resolving them?

What is your decision-making style, and how do you involve your team in the decision-making process?

How do you navigate change within your team or organization?

What is your approach to giving and receiving feedback?

What strategies do you use to balance empowerment with accountability?

Closing Thoughts:

Embarking on the journey to discover your leadership style can be a transformative experience. Don't hesitate to reach out if you grapple with this exploration or would appreciate personalized guidance. I am here to offer support and insights tailored to your unique leadership path. Let's work together to uncover the leadership style that aligns with your values, strengths, and aspirations. Contact me, and let's embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth together.