Are you a good leader? Time for a Mini- Stocktake!

  

We all like to think we are good at what we do, don’t we?

But I usually work on the assumption that most people do take stock of how well they are doing, at least occasionally.  (Sometimes I do wonder, though.)  

Anyway, here is my checklist for all you leaders out there.  I do hope you will take part. So pen and pad at the ready;

1. What’s special, unique and distinctive about you as a leader?  What marks you out from the crowd – in other words – why should you be the leader?
2. Ok so now for results – let us start with the positive!  What impressive or striking results have you achieved over the last year, six months, three months, the last month, the last week?
3. Now, let us go to the other extreme – what did you do that you regretted over the last year, six months, three months, the last month, the last week?
4. So what lessons have you learned recently?
5. When did you first become interested in leadership and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) since then?  Has this further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to leadership? What insights have you gained?
6. What have you done with that learning and how are you managing your ownself-development?  When was the last time you undertook any kind of formal self development?
7. What are you doing to share your learning?  Have you spoken or written about your insights and how has this been received?  If you have not shared, why not?
8. How do you go about getting feedback on your leadership style anyway?  Do you welcome feedback – would you welcome it from your own team and do they know that?
9. Where do you go from here – is there anything you need to change about your leadership style for the future?  How will you do it?
10. Now what are your goals as a leader over the next year? What are your development goals and what development goals do you have for your team? How will you, and they, know when you reach them – how will things be different?

I’d love to think that you would share the results of this mini-review with someone.  But that is asking a lot of a leader isn’t it?  What might happen if you showed your weaknesses?  Would the sky fall in if you admitted there is room for improvement?  Well that is a good review question in itself isn’t it.

Anyway I wish you luck because leadership is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, but in my view, it is quite the most satisfying!
Wendy Mason works as a personal and business coach, consultant and blogger. She has managed or advised on many different kinds of transition and she has worked with all kinds of people going through personal change. If you would like her help, email her at wendymason@wisewolfcoaching.com or ring ++44(0)2084610114 or ++44(0)7867681439 

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