My essential (and sometimes surprising) rules for leadership
Today I'm sharing insights with you from my 20+ year career to help you accelerate your own leadership journey
Welcome! It’s April. How crazy is that? We’ve arrived at the start of Q2 in corporate speak, otherwise known as “Spring” for normal people!
And it’s at this point in the year that I start to really hone in on my goals and professional progress for the year ahead. Jan-March was all about identifying those major goals and starting to put small steps in place (whilst dealing with Covid, kids back at school, terrible weather etc etc!).
But April is the month where things really step up a gear for me. How about you?
Do you find the arrival of spring a good motivator for leaning into your career and leadership development?
If so, then I wanted to share this timely post with you today. In it, I share some of the leadership rules that have served me well over my 20+ year career as a corporate communications leader, and now as a leadership coach.
Now, a few words before we dig in. I haven’t always been a “typical” leader (in fact, I don’t know who is anymore!) so some of these rules may sound a little surprising. But I’m a strong believer that leading well means leading authentically, and that’s what I do.
You won’t find any “get up at 5:00am, forget I have caring responsibilities, head to work for 16 hours, then hit the gym” day in the life advice from me…
But this is what I can share, and I hope it helps. I’d love to see your “rules to live by in leadership” too. Perhaps you can share yours over on LinkedIn and tag me in? I bet people will be inspired by whatever you have to share!
(This is a free post today. But if you like posts and advice like this, then consider signing up as a paid subscriber to this substack, where I share four leadership lessons with you every month - with practical advice and ways you can implement it in your role - all for less than the price of a large Americano and a pain au chocolat (my preferred unhealthy breakfast!) per month.)
My leadership “rules” to live by, Louise, aged 47 and a bit.
Advocating for yourself is the most valuable skill you can develop in your career - bar none. And if you’re a woman, no, you’re not being aggressive FFS!
It’s only your ego that cares about what other people think of your career choices - learn to keep it quiet if you want to be truly fulfilled. (And remember, you can lead anywhere, in any role, don’t wait for the title to give you permission.)
Your ability to “speak human” will set you apart as a leader in a world still filled with meaningless jargon and corporate buzzwords. Simplify your language, but choose your words carefully.
It is exhausting trying to be anyone else but you, so don’t waste your time trying.
However, DO reflect on how it feels to be led by you (and if you don’t like the answer, start to make some changes to the way you want to be received by others.)
Find a great coach and invest in your leadership development, as early as you can, so that you make decisions that serve your true purpose and potential as a professional.
Health and sleep are vital. And burn out leads you nowhere fast. So take whatever steps you need to look after yourself. Including a nap during the day if you need one. (Me, I need one…) And role model to others what good self-care looks like as a leader.
Remember this truth: “When people show you who they are, believe them.” And don’t allow yourself to be gaslit, patronised, looked over or stepped on by individuals who should know better and don’t do better. Don’t accept their poor behavioural standards as the norm - they aren’t.
Listening - really listening - is one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop. It opens the door to curiousity and potential, and always moves you to a better place as an individual and as a leader.
Forget the notion of work-life balance. It’s out-dated and out of reach for most of us, so paradoxically, makes us feel worse about trying to juggle everything perfectly. Instead, embrace work-life integration: identify your most important priorities - at work and at home - and focus on those. Everything else can wait. Really.
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