You want to take your leadership skills to the next level. How can you do it?

I did research a few years ago with Bellevue University on how leaders of ridiculously engaged and profitable teams became so successful. The number 1 trait of all of these leaders from around North America? Self-awareness. You see, you have a perspective of the world that impacts how you interact with it. And this perspective, while key to who you are, is often hidden to some degree from us. And yet, it impacts literally every thing you do. Learn about yourself. Figure out why you do things the way you do. Only then will you have the ability to manage these behaviours and create the type of leader that you can truly become.

Some ways to get started - Take the Myer's Briggs - A universally known personality type quiz - Do a SWOT Analysis of yourself - If you are part of an organization, look at your performance or 360-degree reviews and pull out the main points. - If you aren't part of an organization. Ask co-workers or friends for candid feedback - Review and analyze the results - Set a gameplan to work one of the traits, don't stop working on that one trait until the feedback is positive

Assessments account for 25% of the equation. I firmly believe obtaining a coach or external company to conduct the post-assessment conversations comprises 45%. The remaining 30% is the ownership of the specific actions that need to be taken by the leader. The major issue is not the assessments themselves; it's the lack of authentic conversations post-assessment. An important question is: Who is delivering the assessment results conversation? Are they trained to provide solid feedback? In most cases, HR or supervisors simply regurgitate the results. Let's prioritize improving real conversations post-assessment first.

Assessments are like your map to self-awareness. They help you see what you're good at and what you can get better at. This way, you can make a plan that plays to your strengths and helps you tackle your challenges. It's about using what makes you special to become an even better leader.

Leading others brings new and different challenges depending on where you may be in your career, the size and scope of your team, and whether you are a first time leader or an experienced leader. One of the best ways to assess your strengths and areas for improvement is a 360degree review. Then it's a matter of focusing on key areas that may provide the greatest impact in your role. For many leaders leaning into better communication skills (listening, delivering feedback and managing conflict) and emotional intelligence skills (self awareness, self management, social awareness (includes empathy and org. awareness) and relationship management) will have a strong impact on developing your leadership skills.

100% seek feedback from those above you, beside you and that you manage within your team and others. Ask people online (if you post on social media) ask your friends I have done this regularly through my life and one time asked parents brothers nieces and nephews a series of questions - they all had the same on paper & my brother answered handed me his responses and said 'I am quite scared now' he was a very senior manager, 5 years older than me and 7 inches taller It isn't easy for many to provide you with honest feedback so create the culture where people can and they want to It really isn't good to be surrounded by yes people

I am a huge proponent of receiving feedback. During my time in the military I would routinely request feedback from the individuals who worked for me so that I hear directly from those I was charged to lead what they felt my shortfalls were. Sometimes it was difficult to hear but sometimes we need to hear that criticism from someone who may not fully believe their words hold weight. Not only does this help to keep you in check, it creates a positive leadership experience for that junior individual.

The difficulty with using an internal coach from a leaders organisation is the inability for that coach to be completely impartial, they will have unprocessed biases at play because they are ‘inside the system’. It is recommended that a leader do their due diligence to find a coach that will challenge and expand their thinking, perspectives and understanding of the challenges that leader is facing. Look for a coach who understands and can coach on ‘context’, which means they don’t necessarily have to have coached to a specific topic but can move their theories, models and such to meet the individual needs of the client.

To elevate my leadership skills, I'd start by seeking feedback from peers, mentors, and team members to identify areas for improvement. Then, I'd invest in continuous learning through workshops, courses, or reading materials to gain new insights and perspectives. Building strong relationships and networks within and outside my industry can provide valuable support and opportunities for growth. Additionally, practicing empathy, active listening, and effective communication fosters trust and collaboration within my team. Lastly, I'd challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone, take on new responsibilities, and lead by example to inspire others to excel.

Feedback from those you interact with daily is crucial to growth. They see the strengths and blindspots you have. Take any opportunity to gain feedback from everyone around you - including outside of work. Working with a Coach can assist you in gaining insights that go a couple of layers deep. We generally like to share the surface level solution to move on, and the coach will create deeper thought for your personal success.

I'm a huge fan of the learning from others concept. We are all very busy but there is always time that we can allocate for our professional learning. I convert research and old books to audible files that I can listen to during my drive to and from work. That's an average of around 2 hours each day. Over time this adds up to many books over a year, and the amount of material I get to cover helps in my career growth. Pick areas of interest that fulfill your goals, and gaps in your learning. This will help you open new doors, and enhance your current skillsets as well. Use new technology to enhance your ability to get information and to consume more information. Keep pushing forward always.

Embrace the wisdom of those who have walked the path before you. Look beyond your immediate circle and seek inspiration from diverse perspectives and experiences. Avoid the trap of limiting your learning to your industry or functional area. Instead, explore interdisciplinary learning opportunities to broaden your horizons and spark new insights. Consider unconventional sources of inspiration, such as literature, art, or nature, to cultivate creativity and innovation. Additionally, prioritize learning from both successes and failures, recognizing that valuable lessons can be gleaned from both.

Organize 'leadership exchange days' where you swap roles with leaders from different fields or departments. This can expose you to new leadership styles, strategies, and challenges, broadening your understanding and approach. Do you have a team of advisors or mentors? Research shows that your status in life is largely predicted by who you surround yourself with. Make sure they're ahead of you in whichever game you're trying to succeed in, and you'll soon start catching up!

Successful people know that there is always room for growth and development. They prioritize learning and seek out opportunities to improve their skills and knowledge. To continuously learn and improve, start by identifying areas where you want to grow. This could be a new skill, a subject you want to learn more about, or a weakness you want to overcome. Then, seek out resources and opportunities to learn and improve. This could include taking a course, reading a book, attending a workshop, or seeking out a mentor. By continuously learning and improving, you can stay ahead of the curve and achieve more than you ever thought possible.

One of my favourite quotes when it comes to the application of concepts and theories comes from Einstein, “In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.” Creating a cycle for yourself of applying your learning, reflecting on it, followed by reassessing your strengths and areas of improvement. By continuously assessing but most importantly taking the first step to action your learnings you'll be able to grow as a leader so much faster.

Put your newfound knowledge into action by translating insights into tangible results. Avoid the mistake of passively consuming information without taking meaningful action. Instead, adopt an experimental mindset and embrace a bias towards action. Set clear goals and milestones to track your progress, and be willing to course-correct as needed. Additionally, leverage tools and frameworks, such as action learning or rapid prototyping, to accelerate the application of learning in real-world scenarios. By taking intentional steps towards implementation, you can maximize the impact of your learning efforts and drive meaningful change.

It's easy to build knowledge; read all the books and take all the courses. It's another to apply that learning. Take some time to lean into the learning and embody it. Less is more.

I am missing the importance of empathy here. Knowing yourself is a requisition, but for an excellent leader in is crucial to know the team member and be able to put you in his/her shoes. Where does each team members stand today, what are his/her motivators, what does he/she need and how can I as leader support his/her way. And let us not forget: the best leader is the one that is nor needed ;). #buildtrust

I believe that developing and empowering others is a non-negotiable for a leader. A hallmark of a strong leader is the transparent sharing of both successes and setbacks with the team. Too often, we hear only about victories, yet real leadership is about sharing failures and the valuable lessons learned from them.

Invest in the growth and development of those around you, recognizing that leadership is not a solo endeavour. Avoid the mistake of micromanaging or overlooking the potential of your team members. Instead, empower others to reach their full potential by providing mentorship, coaching, and growth opportunities. Foster a culture of continuous learning and feedback, where everyone feels supported and encouraged to contribute. Additionally, embrace the concept of reverse mentoring, where junior employees provide insights and perspectives that challenge traditional thinking. By nurturing a culture of development and empowerment, you can cultivate a high-performing team that drives collective success.

The recommendations here really focus on having the right mindset and bulding the qualities you need to become a better leader, but the only way to really become better is through practice and experience. Leaders need to be proactive in asking for assignments, projects or responsibilities that will challenge and stretch their abilities. Learning from these successes and failures will help leaders drastically improve.

Become an empowered leader. One that makes the team shine. You do this by learning skills in areas such as being empathetic, authentic, inspirational, emotionally aware, and by being purposeful. By leveling up your emotional intelligence and emotional wellness. By leading change and by being a coach and mentor. And last but not least, by invoking an empowered culture. That way, your empowering efforts will become the new habit.

As Marshall Goldsmith said, what got you here won't get you there. In order to continue to evolve as a leader and grow your career, engage in a process of continuous learning. --Seek feedback to understand your strengths and your areas of opportunity. A 360 assessment can be especially helpful. --Talk with your boss and other leaders in the organization to understand what skills helped them as they advanced in their careers. --Set development goals for yourself focused on the competencies you want to learn. --Get your learning in a variety of forms--classes, mentor relationships, listening to podcasts, reading books and periodicals, working with a coach. Think about every skill you learn as a new tool in your leadership toolkit.

A theme that's trending with my clients is a willingness to learn and grow from mistakes and feedback. Most top leaders did not move up the ranks with perfection. Be human, be humble, be curious and strive to be the best listener, learner and leader you can be.

If you want to take your leadership skills to the next level, you need to stop and look at the other side. What do you hope to accomplish as a result of leveling up your skills? Maybe it involves moving into work that you love and have a passion for doing. Understand why you want to level up and move with that energy and focus.

To take your leadership to the next level, it is critical to care for your own wellbeing. To be a great leader, you need to be able to pour into the people around you not just from a full cup, but from the overflow. In my practice, I see so many burned out leaders who are unable to show up for their teams, exercise patience, or support and develop others because they have no fuel in the tank. Take a pause. Think about how you are spending your time, and if you are doing things that allow you to thrive. Are you moving your body? Prioritizing sleep, hydration and nutrition? Spending time engaging with friends + family who energize you? Learning and growing? Making your wellbeing a priority creates the conditions for elevated leadership.

Taking your leadership to the next level require transforming from within so that you can become that leader you aspire to be - the higher version of you, more powerful authentic self, operating from a higher potential and consciousness level. That version think and act differently, is wiser, more emotionally intelligent, empathic, courageous and intuitive. Another key is - developing abilities to coach - asking powerful questions, listening actively, EI, activating presence & developing cohesive teams.

To excel as a leader you first need to understand yourself, how you see yourself in the world, what triggers you, what motivates you, how the environment around you influences the way you talk and interact. By truly reflecting on yourself and having self-awareness you will be able to manage your emotions in a meaningful way to truly engage with your team. Remember that as a leader success is the result of collective team efforts, so always show appreciation and gratitude to your team and support them through failures or pitfalls. Everything you do should set an example for your team, keep this in mind at all times but in a way that allows you to remain true to yourself.

Recognize the importance of holistic well-being in driving leadership performance. Avoid the mistake of neglecting self-care or prioritizing work at the expense of your health and happiness. Instead, prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Consider exploring practices such as mindfulness or resilience training to build emotional resilience and navigate challenges with grace and agility. By prioritizing your well-being, you can sustainably perform at your best and inspire others to do the same.