20 Small Shifts To Radically Upgrade Your Leadership Potential

If you're struggling with what to do NEXT in order to level up in your career, start here...

Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things - working hard, showing up, saying yes - but something still isn’t landing?

And worse, you’re exhausted and maybe even teetering on the edge of burn out from trying to do it all, for all the people, all of the time and still not being seen as a leader?

You’re not alone. The difference between managing well and leading powerfully often comes down to mindset. It’s what shifts you from reactive to intentional. From stuck to strategic.

From being seen as capable… to being seen as credible.

The good news?

Leadership mindset isn’t some mystical trait. And you don’t have to be born with it.

It’s a collection of habits and skills that you can cultivate, learn and lean into — ways of thinking and showing up that, over time, and combined with your natural strengths, transform how you lead and how others respond to you.

In my coaching practice, I often share the power of taking one action. One step forward towards your professional goals. It gives you momentum and lights the spark.

So today I’m sharing 20 of my favourite mindset shifts, inspired by the work I do with new and aspiring leaders every day, to help you build the confidence, clarity and presence you need to lead with intention.

Pick one and start! I’d love to hear how you get on.

20 Ways to Upgrade Your Leadership Mindset

1. Shift from proving to improving
   Let go of perfection. Focus on progress. Growth is the real power move.

2. Say ‘I don’t know’ with confidence
   You’re not hired for certainty, you’re hired for your judgement. Curiousity beats bluffing every time. (Curiousity is a leadership superpower in my book!)

3. See feedback as fuel, not failure
   Treat it as insight, not insult. It’s a shortcut to leadership growth. BUT feel free to discard anything that isn’t constructive.

4. Decide what you want to be known for
   Craft your leadership brand with intention. Not just your reputation, but your legacy. (Your personal brand is a non negotiable in today’s economy BTW!)

5. Practice the power of the pause
   Great leaders don’t rush. Pause before responding. It builds clarity and control (and helps you take a much needed breath if you’re inwardly nervous!)

6. Prioritise your energy, not just your time
   Protect your focus. You can’t think strategically in back-to-back Zooms. (And you can’t hydrate or urinate either - sorry!!)

7. Stop waiting for permission
   Raise your hand. Pitch the idea. Say the thing. No one will anoint you.

8. Ask better questions
   It’s not about having all the answers. Strategic leaders change the conversation. As a coach, I’m ALL ABOUT GOOD QUESTIONS.

9. Think impact, not effort
   You’re not paid to be busy. You’re paid to create value. Get out of that busy trap NOW. It won’t help you be seen as strategic or valuable.

10. Play the long game
    Not everything needs to be won today. Invest in your future and the vision you create for your career. Step by step.

11. Treat influence as a skill, not a personality trait
    Introvert or extrovert, your voice still matters. Learn how to use it with impact WITHOUT losing who you are in the process.

12. Build a boardroom mindset
    What would a senior leader care about? Start there. (I have SO MUCH MORE to say on this as a leadership coach - and as a paid sub, you get access to an absolute goldmine of leadership coaching advice and premium career resources (“Your leadership toolkit”) from me so you can dig in and transform your impact.

13. Lead with values, not vibes
    Don’t just follow what feels good. Act in line with what matters most to you. Wear your values proudly and on your sleeve.

14. Detach from needing to be liked
    Respect and clarity trump likeability. Always. On that point, always try and be “valuable” NOT “helpful”.

15. See politics as navigation, not manipulation
    You don’t have to play dirty, but you do need to read the room. Emotional intelligence and context awareness are hugely valuable leadership skills.

16. Build trust in yourself through small wins
    Confidence is built, not gifted. Keep promises to yourself first. What have you committed to in your career and professional development? What barriers or self-limiting beliefs might you need to overcome in order to get there? And what support do you need?

17. Own the room. But share the floor
    Your voice matters, and so does creating space for others. Don’t monopolise a meeting, but make sure you add value to it!

18. Learn to separate feelings from facts.
    Feeling frustrated or overlooked? Pause and ask: What else could be true here? Strong leaders respond to data, not just drama. In my words - trust the EVIDENCE over your ASSUMPTIONS.

19. Listening is more important than speaking

    Active listening is a powerful leadership skill (watch great leaders you know - they do it)

20. Cultivate a growth mindset for your career
    Your abilities aren’t fixed. You can always learn and improve. Like all things worth having, effective leadership requires effort, commitment and practice.

Want to go deeper than mindset tips?

If you're ready to not just think like a leader, but lead like one, I share a weekly coaching email exclusively for paid subscribers. It’s packed with practical, expert advice to increase your confidence, clarity and credibility as an aspiring leader or ambitious professional.

You’ll also unlock full access to the Leadership Toolkit: the premium tools, templates and coaching strategies I share with my private clients - from influencing senior stakeholders to setting boundaries, managing upwards, communicating with impact and more.

It’s a goldmine if you want to dig in, commit, and get ahead in your career.

Upgrade to paid now and step into the leader you’re becoming.

I’m here to support you. Every step of the way.

And tell me - which mindset shift resonated with you the most?

Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Louise x