Learn to lead from anywhere within your organisation
Posted: 28 August 2015 at 8:38 am | Author: Laura Morris
Leaders aren’t necessarily the individuals who are ‘the boss’ or have ‘manager’ in their job title. It’s possible to lead from anywhere in an organisation, but the key is to do this without disturbing the official hierarchy.
The first thing you need to do is decide that you want to be the leader, this is a decision that only you can make. Embrace the opportunity and you will flourish in your career.
Here are a few key tips to help you lead from anywhere in the organisation.
Be aware of what is going on around you in the wider organisational picture
By watching and learning you can discover a plethora of useful information to assist you in your quest to become a leader.
Identify other leaders around you , such as those in other departments, or your own boss, and establish what it is that makes them stand out as being deserving of the title ‘leader’.
By watching and learning you can discover what the aims are for the business and what ideas your boss loves so you can generate ideas that will really contribute towards the higher objectives.
Teach those around you
It’s important that you have the ability to work with other people and teach them your skills. Don’t be afraid to share what you know as this will mean that other people can grow. Subsequently you will be helping to develop a formidable team.
Sharing skills is essential, it means that you will have the option to delegate particular tasks when required to allow you to focus on the bigger picture.
Have confidence
It’s impossible to be a leader without confidence. You need to believe in what you are doing and take responsibility for your actions. This confidence also needs to be instilled in those around you. Speak with confidence and have faith in your own ability. This will be noticed by those around you – including your boss.
Inspire
To lead effectively is to inspire those around you to be the best that they can be. You want to be the person who encourages those around you to be motivated and go the extra step. You don’t need to be a cheerleader – leading by good example is far more powerful than any ‘motivational speech’ you could give.
Become the ‘go-to person’
A true leader is one that is followed without force. This is demonstrated when you become the person that your team always look to for support or to bounce ideas off. Make yourself this person by always giving input when asked, and offer constructive advice.
Ensure that you keep up –to-date with industry trends and news to provide valuable inside knowledge to your colleagues.
Being a leader is not about having control of other people. It is about being proactive, asking questions (and listening to the answer), demonstrating a good example and stepping up when something needs to be done.
Ensure you remain in tune with what is going on throughout your organisation and you will learn to become an inspiring leader.
Want to learn more about becoming an effective leader? Check out CAW Business ILM Leadership and Management courses or call 01480 422060 for more information