AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 35
There are a plethora of
opportunities and methods
for embarking on professional
and leadership development,
from business school courses
to micro certificates to coaching
and mentoring.
In developing and
strengthening self-awareness ask
ourselves (and, in time, ask others
for this feedback), “How do I
lead? Who am I as a leader?
What am I doing right now that
seems to be working well? And
what isn’t working so well?”
Pay attention to the information,
stay curious and spend some
time thinking and reflecting
on this data.
This helps to locate a starting
point that concentrates on building
and expanding the strengths and
also developing areas of weakness.
For example, “I think I’m quite
open and friendly – so this is
helpful in building relationships
and trust – but I have difficultly
in being forceful when I need to
be and tend to shy away
from confrontation.”
In summary, while the
leadership area can seem
excessively broad and perhaps
intangible, developing skills to
support a leadership role can be
very rewarding. Start small and
specific. And build a strong base
of self-awareness.
Your development work is a
constant conversation between
the way you take up and enact
leadership in your current role,
and the new skills and practises
that can be effective in the role.
In other words, we all do
leadership slightly differently,
with our own style reflecting
our history, experience, beliefs
and values. Indeed, it is usually
leaders who are strong in their
self-awareness, able to regulate
and refine their strengths and
weaknesses and work effectively
with a diverse range of other
people, that make the best leaders.
So, invest in yourself and
allow yourself to be curious and
reflective about your leadership
work, but go slowly and enjoy
the process.
PULSE
Developing
skills to
support a
leadership role
can be very
rewarding.
It's important
you can
meaningfully
translate any
learning
into your
daily work.
Click for
leadership
courses and
resources.
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