Leadership Is Like The Language You Speak

What makes a good leader?

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Muriel Strode

The truth is that being the “leader” is not for the masses. Being a leader takes an understanding that sometimes sh** is gonna get tough. Things may fall apart at the last minute, and the team or project you are leading is going to be a direct reflection of your decision making and planning.

Who wants that type of pressure?

Leadership is a skill.

A skill that requires a comprehensible ability to be able control the situation and make decisions based upon the circumstances at hand.

Women in leadership roles have clearly increased over the years and we are proud of that, but we also have to understand the stakes that come with that. We are already being looked at by some as unique in the role simply because we ARE women and that adds an extra layer of responsibility.

The responsibility to uphold just how well we handle our roles and the pressure that comes with that can be overwhelming but we somehow automatically morph into that “superpower” that we possess and gracefully switch into the autopilot mode.

So what really makes a good leader?

Three things for sure: awareness, boldness, and clear and concise communication.

Be Aware…

Be aware that in your role as a leader you do have something to prove. You have to be willing to prove that you can handle your responsibilities while maintaining a level of trust in yourself and your team. Being aware means making sure that you are on notice of different variables and circumstances that may arise. You are aware of the dynamics of whatever it is you are leading and have an ability to address and adapt to a change if necessary. It also means being aware of yourself. How do you handle pressure? How do you respond to it? How are you finding solutions? Being aware means that you are prepared for whatever is to come and will be sure to utilize all the necessary tools you have attained in order to do so. Be aware of your presence around others as a leader. How do you they think view you? Even though people will make up their own minds about you, be aware of the imagery of leadership you are displaying.

Be Bold…

Yes. Be bold… and not to sound like a recruiter or anything but literally be all that you can be. Being bold in a leadership position is mentally being capable of sometimes having the hard conversations, making the hard decisions, and giving the hard, but necessary advice. Being bold in leadership roles means that you have to pull this confidence from deep within yourself and just get things done. Success is always the end goal and being bold in your leadership means you are willing to use your judgment in the best way in order to obtain just that. Being a bold woman in leadership is a reflection of who you are so don’t be afraid to be bold in your personal aesthetic either. Dress for success if you are in a professional environment. Feel good about what you are aiming to accomplish each day. Be seen in a positive light, and remember that you are in control of your own destiny as said leader.

Be Communicative…

This one is truly the most important and actually brings content to the first two, meaning that communication is the foundation for being a great leader. It is the vessel for delivering your best work and the catalyst for your growth and success in a leadership role. Being able to finely execute your plan and identifying where there can be more attention to detail is a skill that over time you should be able to come to as close to mastering as you can. Will you be perfect? Of course not, no one will. But being that good leader means you can identify the flaws whether they be in yourself, your team, or your project and you can fine tune them as effectively as possible. Communicating your ideas and sharing your thoughts are going to be highlighted as a leader and you will need to be willing and able to shine through them consistently. Think carefully about how you are addressing certain things and always think about how you can improve your dialogue and communication when you’re doing so.

Overall, remember that being a good leader is kind of like your own language you speak. And it is your duty to be able to assure that you translate your language in a way that others are able to understand, connect to, and fully comprehend. Your leadership language is a powerful tool for your business or organization and you will need to be very visible within it. “Speaking in leader” so to speak can be a very rewarding experience and when you have the opportunity to share your voice in that role, make sure you are listening to yourself and see what others are hearing along the way.

Good luck on all your endeavors.

L.Anderson

SPP Blog