Six Leadership Shifts That Will Make You Stand Out in the Crowd
by Margie DuBois, CPC
October 31, 2024
As a coach and consultant, I spend most of my time observing and supporting leaders and teams.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over and over again, it’s that great teams are led by great leaders who promote employees that exhibit the best leadership potential.
Since the pandemic, leaders have had to adapt to a rapidly changing workplace. As a result, they are needing employees who can do the same. While there is plenty of research showing what makes strong leaders, certain behaviors are rising to the top.
While management is not meant for everyone, leadership is. Leaders are everywhere at every level. Anyone who wants to become a great leader can do so by taking radical responsibility for how they work with others and impact their organization.
The best part? You can elevate your leadership immediately by making the smallest changes. Here are six leadership shifts that can positively impact your team and make you stand out in the crowd.
1 - Learn how to really listen
Most people are not good at listening. Our natural human tendency is to formulate our response while the other person is talking, and then share our thoughts once they are done - or even interrupt them partway through.
Great leaders are active listeners who seek to understand what they are hearing from others. They stay curious and make others feel seen and heard, even when there is disagreement.
If active listening doesn’t come naturally to you, try this experiment. The next time you’re meeting with someone, jot down notes of they key points they shared with you. When the person is done sharing, respond to them with a thoughtful follow up question that addresses something they shared (without offering your own opinion). Remember to ask open-ended questions that spark more dialogue, beginning with words like why, when, where, or how.
2 - Present problems with solutions
Problems are inevitable at the workplace. And it’s perfectly normal to have concerns and frustrations. However, when you make a complaint without a solution, it can create added stress for your manager and make you look less poised as a leader.
The next time you provide constructive feedback or share a frustration with a team member, consider coming prepared with at least one idea for solving the problem. If you’ve already tried to problem solve, share what solutions you’ve tried, how you are feeling, and make clear to the other person that you need their help.
3 - Become more adaptable
If there is one leadership quality that I’ve heard managers beg for more than anything else, it’s adaptability. What executives need more than ever is employees who can remain adaptable as their organizations navigate change and make decisions for the future.
We all know that employee who has a constant need to have every piece of information before they start a project. Or the person who operates in a constant state of fear at work and stirs the pot while leaders are making critical decisions.
Of course, it’s reasonable to desire consistent and transparent communication at work. Certain circumstances warrant stress and anxiety, or give cause for concern. However, if you maintain an attitude of flexibility and optimism, you will be way ahead of the curve.
4 - Give praise freely
Sharing your appreciation for others is one of the lowest hanging fruits for employee retention and improving morale. It’s easy, and it works. Research shows that people who radiate positive energy at work are amongst the best leaders, and part of that is giving praise.
Consider making affirmation a weekly practice at work. When you pay compliments to your colleagues, try to make them specific (avoid generic phrases that may sound fluffy to some). Share what you observed and the impact it had. You’d be amazed by how fast this builds healthy culture and enables the productive behaviors to continue.
5 - Change your behavior
There’s an old adage that states the best apology is changed behavior. This can’t be more true at the workplace. There is nothing more frustrating than working with someone who is not only unwilling to receive feedback, but fails to make changes with their behavior.
If you aren’t willing to grow as a professional, you can’t build win the trust or respect of others. This is particularly important when it comes to communication and interpersonal skills.
Employees who are receptive to feedback and demonstrate progress with goal implementation are the ones who have the greatest leadership potential in the end. They cause less fatigue for their managers and inspire others to do the same.
If there’s any area of your work performance that you’re having a hard time shifting, ask for help. Reach out to a colleague with a strength that reflects the skill you’re trying to work on, and ask them for their pro tips (and a little accountability).
6 - Laugh often
This one may sound like common sense, but it’s something many leaders fail to do. When you start taking your yourself or your work too seriously, you aren’t as enjoyable to be around and your company culture may suffer.
No one wants to work for an organization where laughter is not part of its DNA. Laughter gives people permission to be human and brings them together. It builds trust and makes things easier during difficult times.
If your workplace culture is a bit stuffy, consider being the person who infuses laughter into meetings and every day events (of course, when appropriate). People will start gravitating towards you and think of you first when it’s time to nominate peers for awards and promotions.
. . .
While leadership isn’t easy, it doesn’t have to be that hard. People get stuck when they cling onto behavior patterns and beliefs that don’t serve them or those they work with.
If you want to change your leadership, look for the low hanging fruits that move the needle on culture the fastest for your team. Once you make a conscious choice to change the way you lead, your leadership will have a bigger impact than you imagine.
About This Feature
Coaching Nuggets is a standing editorial feature in The Thirlby Co. Monthly Digest written by our company founder, Margie (Thirlby) DuBois, and occasional guest authors. Each nugget provides you with a quick read and resources to spark ideas and help you live your best life.
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