How to get clear on the leader you want to be

December’s here at last, and all eyes now turn eagerly, yet perhaps with some trepidation, towards 2021. No doubt you have completed your organisation’s plan and budget for 2020. My clients tell me how difficult it has been to plan for 2021 – will it be more of the 2020-same? What changes in 2020 will carry forward to 2021? And foremost on everyone’s mind – when will we get the vaccine!

As 2020 edges closer to oblivion, it’s a good to reflect on something you do have total control over – your leadership. Actually, any time is a good time to do this but let’s just go with now. Reflect on these questions:

• How have you led your team this year?
• How supportive were you in their adjustment and coping with the turmoil of the pandemic?
• Have you coached them regularly and given feedback that helped them to improve their performance and grow into their potential, even in this difficult year?
• Did you attend any leadership development courses?
• Have you read any books on leadership, watched talks with or spoken with any great leaders?
• Did you work with a coach?
• Have you taken time to contemplate who you are and who you want to be?

Do you yearn to be more than you currently are as a leader?

If so, then NOW is a good time to create a vision for your leadership. And if you have one, then take some time to review it. Stephen Covey said: “Begin with the end in mind”. Here’s a very powerful exercise that I ask my coachees to engage in to define their desired end state as a leader:

1. Schedule an hour of quiet solitude within the next few days.
2. On a blank sheet of paper, describe in detail who you want to be as a leader in 2030. Think about:
   • What type of leader do you want to be?
   • What are your values?
   • What impact do you want to have?
   • How will those you lead view you?
3. Read your Vision statement out loud, proudly.
4. Write down one number – how you rate your current performance as a leader using a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “I am light years away” and 10 being “I’m there”.
   Develop your own plan for 2021 to start this quest towards your leadership vision. No need to wait for your boss or the HR Department – this is your vision, your plan, your life.
   Read your vision once per day to keep you focused and inspired.

“Vision without action is a daydream”
– Japanese proverb

To make your personal Leadership Vision a reality, identify one action you will take over the next 7 days to start you on the journey to becoming a better leader. Here are some ideas:

1. Interview a leader you admire
2. Read the biography of a great leader
3. Participate in a webinar on leadership
4. Ask your team members to give you feedback on how you could become a better leader
5. Ask your boss for feedback
6. Watch a TED or TEDx talk on leadership
7. Schedule a call with me to explore how coaching can help you become the leader you deeply desire to be

Decide; and just do it!