Standing Out: Your Guide to Become an Emerging Leader
Work keeps changing, and so do the qualities employers want in their future leaders. If you aim to move up in your career, people seeing you as someone with leadership potential gives you a big advantage. But how can you do this without a fancy title or years of experience managing others?
The good news? Leadership isn’t just about having a corner office and giving orders. It involves taking the lead, inspiring others around you, and showing the skills and behaviors that help a team succeed. Here are five ways you can start to show your leadership potential even at your current job level:
Take on the Challenge:
Sometimes you can best show your worth by diving right in. When tough jobs or projects pop up, offer to help. This shows you’re ready to push your limits and handle tricky issues. It’s a chance to display your knack to solve problems, think ahead, and bounce back when things go wrong. Picture your boss facing a sticky situation with a client. By stepping up with ideas and then carrying out a smart plan, you show not just that you’re capable, but also that you’re committed to helping the company succeed.
Take Action, Don’t Just Wait:
Leaders take charge. They don’t sit around waiting for orders. They seek out ways to pitch in and make things work better. This could mean spotting potential issues or chances before they turn into headaches, or dreaming up clever fixes to make current work smoother.
Think about this: say you spot a snag in how your team talks to each other. A go-getter move would be to pitch a new chat tool or suggest a smarter meeting plan. By stepping up and sharing your thoughts with your workmates and boss, you show you’re all in for the team’s win and you can think big picture.
Speak Up and Be Heard (in a Good Way!):
Meetings serve as a breeding ground for future leaders. showing up won’t cut it. To catch attention, you must take part . This means arriving ready to talk about the agenda and offering useful insights based on your knowledge and grasp of the company’s aims.
Melissa Janis, an expert on new manager growth, advises matching your actions with the leadership traits the company values. If teamwork is key, listen to others’ views during meetings and welcome different perspectives. This displays your skill in working together and leading in an inclusive way. Keep in mind, contributions that make an impact get noticed. By always giving worthwhile input, your boss will view you as someone who’s involved and has the ability to sway and guide others.
Work as a Team Player, Not a Lone Wolf:
Good leaders know how important it is to recognize and value what others bring to the table. Give your coworkers credit for their hard work and wins. This creates a positive workplace and shows you can lead with understanding and respect.
Think about it like this: one person completes a successful project alone. Praise your coworkers’ achievements, give credit where it’s earned, and provide helpful feedback when needed. This builds strong trusting bonds and encourages teamwork, which you need to lead well. Keep in mind real leaders put group success ahead of personal praise.
Push for Change, Not the Status Quo:
The business scene changes , and companies value people who can come up with new ideas and make changes happen. Those in charge are often the ones who can see what’s possible and put fresh concepts into action. So aim to be someone who’s always on the lookout for ways to make things better, whether it’s through new tech smoother ways of doing things, or thinking outside the box to solve problems.
Picture your department trapped in a cycle of using a slow and clunky filing system. A change champion would be the one looking into new digital filing options or suggesting a process revamp to boost productivity. Being a change champion isn’t just about brainstorming ideas, it also involves managing and guiding the change process. This calls for great communication skills, the knack to motivate others, and the toughness to push through opposition and hurdles. When your boss notices you successfully spearheading positive changes, it strengthens your image as a forward-thinking leader.
Remember, Leadership is How You Do What You Do