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Leadership, like any skill, requires time to develop. But as a manager, that time can be hard to come by. How can you build opportunities to develop as a leader into your daily work life? First, review any data or feedback that you have, such as performance reviews or results of a recent 360 survey, to identify one or two specific skills you want to improve. Perhaps you want to become a powerful public speaker, a more effective feedback-giver, or a confident strategic thinker. Whatever your goal, pursue a realistic course of action that can help you achieve it—maybe reading a book on the topic or taking an online course. Next, invest a small amount of time each day (even five minutes is enough) toward that actionable program. As you’re doing this, note key takeaways and ideas for how to implement them into your day. These don’t have to be daunting undertakings—simple things like speaking up in a meeting, pitching a new idea, or changing the way you communicate with your employees can represent significant growth. Finally, look to leaders you respect for inspiration, and reach out to them if you can for advice and guidance. |
| This tip is adapted from “How Busy People Can Develop Leadership Skills,” by Darja Kragt (from HBR) |
