How To See The Leader In You Right Now
As an older millennial, I like to credit my place on the generational timeline for teaching me key values like the millennial dream to do good for all, Gen X independence, and an appreciation for strong work ethic instilled by my Baby Boomer parents. Like many of my peers, however, I’ve also struggled with the limiting belief that leadership positions are hard to attain. We’ve been conditioned to think that career growth is hierarchical and if we take a break or make a lateral move, we will lose our footing on the proverbial ladder. What if that mental model is incorrect? What if we could advance in our careers, lives, and leadership right now from where we are?
Limiting mental models tell us we have to commit to an unfulfilling career, put in the sweat equity, and follow in succession to the top. The only things I’ve experienced by following this mental model were disappointment at not rising to leadership as quickly as I’d hoped, diminished confidence in my performance, and dulled interest in an area I was otherwise passionate about. I felt as though my efforts demonstrated leadership potential, but until I achieved the formal title, I wouldn’t be taken seriously enough or given the responsibility of achieving actual change.
Since then, I’ve taken on leadership roles in the non-profit sector, started my own business curating artisan maker markets (Marketspace Vendor Events), began working at UpSpiral Leadership®, and have challenged my limiting beliefs around leadership. I can now look back and realize that I’ve had leadership capabilities within me all along, but did not ground myself in the belief that anyone can be a leader regardless of their title on paper. What would have best prepared me to ask for a chance at leadership is the ability to frame my skills as leadership traits and the confidence to show exactly how I made a difference in metrics that mattered to my employer. Everything is a transferable skill. We just have to do the due diligence to connect the dots and empower ourselves.
Three Steps To Activate Our Leadership Now
It may take some time to compile the metrics. In the meantime, here are three steps we can take to activate our leadership:
Become clear on our why; set a leader intention. When we understand what we stand for and why we stand for it, it becomes easier to convince others that we are a leader on the subject. For example: In my business, I stand for fair and equal representation of arts and culture. I work with artists to get their work seen in new demographics regardless of cultural differences, sexual orientation, and financial means to make it happen because everyone deserves a chance to showcase their inner expression and connect with others who appreciate it. I’m continually learning about emerging global and social issues as they pertain to the arts. I encourage makers to do the right thing for their business and the community in a way that honors their talent while showing respect to history, tradition, and art.
Rally others around us. 50% of leadership fuel comes from believing in ourselves. The other 50% comes from persuading others to rally with us. If there is something that needs to change, which skills make us qualified to change it and how will the change benefit our peers? If we can proudly proclaim why we want to do something differently and that proclamation resonates with the crowd, they will stand behind us.
Listen to lead. There is not one single person who has every right answer. Be prepared to face opposition, be prepared to listen to evolving needs, and be prepared to pivot. This is often one of the hardest feats for a leader. After each maker market, I send out surveys to my community to ensure I am helpful, courteous, doing all I can to represent them as small business makers, and being fair in my curation process. No matter how near and dear a cause is to each of us as individuals or how right we think we are, if our intentions do not align with that which benefits the greater good, it may be time to reevaluate.
Once we activate the leadership within us, our passion and confidence become so magnetic that others begin to see and honor them too. There is still so much for me to learn as a leader, but I know with all of my heart that my intentions are transparent and I’ve finally reached a point in my leadership journey where others will attest to my leadership capabilities without hesitation.
By: Kim Kraemer
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