6 Awesome Tips for Aspiring Leaders
How to Prepare for Your Future Role in Leadership
I am often asked for advice from up-and-coming and aspiring leaders. This is what I say:
“Work on the skills you need before you need them.”
The most effective and practical way to do this is by doing the role you want, not just the one you have. To put it another way: act like a leader before you become one. If you adopt the behaviors of a great leader before you land the role, you’re likely to get the job much more quickly.
Here are 6 tips for becoming a great leader before you’re actually a leader:
Look for Leadership Opportunities Outside of Work
Lead a volunteer group, coach a sports team, or mentor a student in a subject you excel at. The experience pays off.
Learn to Delegate
When you’re a leader, you can’t do it alone. If you’re someone that likes to do it all yourself, start delegating now. Is there a task your spouse, friend, or peer could help you with? Let them.
Learn Active Listening
Leadership is listening. Your team is your eyes and ears, as well as your lifeline. Learn to hear to what people say and figure out how to put it into practice.
Get Organized and Stay Organized
If you aren’t normally an organized person, you need to learn. When you’re in charge of multiple peoples’ livelihoods, your ability to keep track of everything counts.
Start Doing 1-on-1s
This is the most important thing you’ll do as a leader, so get some practice in. A 1-on-1 with your boss or with people you’re leading outside of work is a great start.
Set Your Leadership Values and Goals
In order to become the leader you want to be, understand the type of leader you want to be. Set your values now, and use those values to guide your upcoming decisions.
If you’re looking for more in-depth guidance on becoming a leader, keep an eye out for my upcoming online leadership program, the Kickstart Leadership Course. I’ll also be establishing a membership group of like-minded, positive leaders called the Press Start Leadership Fellowship very soon, so sign up for my email newsletter to get updates on release dates (not to mention awesome weekly content)!
