Leadership values are not just for leaders. In this audio clip, I’ll explain why thinking of yourself as a leader is good, regardless of your role or title.
We are all 50 percent responsible for how every relationship we are involved in operates.
Some key leadership attributes that come into play for smoothly operating relationships include:
- Effective communication, i.e., articulating your needs, making requests, etc.
- Respectful language (This includes tone of voice and body language)
- Active listening skills
- Practical (and fair) negotiation skills
Do you practice these skills in your relationships and interactions?
If so, then you have strong leadership values.
If you feel it’s “not your job” to have strong leadership values unless you have a fancy title, you may be selling yourself short and setting yourself up for challenging interactions with others.
We’ve all heard the adage, It takes two to tango.
If you’ve ever watched two skilled tango dancers in action, you know what that adage means.
In tango dancing, there is a leader and a follower.
However, the follower plays an active role and, in some ways, provides the structure for the dance.
This is an excellent analogy for relationships.
We all can examine our role in how smoothly our relationships operate. Sometimes, other people, e.g., bosses, are challenging to work with because of how we interact with them, how we make requests, and how we may ignore them or not listen.
Whether fresh out of school and just starting your career or a seasoned professional, you can benefit from cultivating leadership values, honing your leadership skills, and engaging in leadership behaviors.
Here are a few ways you can demonstrate leadership attributes no matter what title you hold:
- Lead a project.
- Inspire others to do quality work.
- Take responsibility for the quality of your work, whether you are being evaluated or not.
- Always do your best.
- Be aware of how you are interacting with others. Strive to communicate effectively and respectfully.
Everyone is responsible for valuing leadership skills, not just the one with the title.
Feeling stuck in a job you hate, but not sure what to do next?
You're not alone, and you don't have to figure it out on your own. Getting the right support can make all the difference.
If you're ready to explore what's next
→ Click here to complete this worksheet and take the first step toward getting paid to do you.
And if this made you think of a friend or colleague who's struggling at work, please share it with them. A little encouragement goes a long way.
