Do you consider yourself to be a leader? I’m not asking if you head a team of a dozen employees, if you founded a company, or if you are the CEO of a corporation. According to the public speaker and leadership coach Shea Smith, being a leader has nothing to do with those things.
On the contrary, being a leader has less to do with our title and more to do with how we perceive and compose ourselves. The mindset that we implement in our business and everyday life is what determines whether or not we are actively leading or passively standing by and participating. Read on to learn more about Shea’s leadership wisdom.
Common Misconceptions About Being a Leader
Shea shares that there are a number of misconceptions about being a leader that people hold.
To begin, many people don’t realize that leaders can be found at every level of an organization. Waiting to be promoted to a certain role to start being a leader will stunt your professional growth. You can be a leader no matter what position you hold: it’s all about your mindset.
Speaking of mindset, another common misconception is that motivation is required to be a leader. Shea highlights that while motivation is fleeting, mindset sticks around. That’s why what really matters when it comes to being a leader is your mindset. If you have a healthy mindset towards your business and professional goals, you will be able to form successful long-term action plans rather than make decisions based on temporary emotions.
Finally, many people believe that taking drastic actions and working nonstop are the only ways to get ahead in this world. Hustle culture is hard to shake off. However, there are a couple of things that matter much more than working yourself into the ground: consistency and efficiency. If you show up every day and work smarter, not harder, you’ll get much farther than you would if you work to overwork yourself.
The Three Things Everyone Should Know About Being a Leader
As a successful leadership coach, there are a number of things that Shea wishes people knew about leadership.
The first of those is that as a leader, you don’t have to do it all. That’s why you lead a team in the first place! Shea recommends that you get to know your team well and take the time to build successful systems so that you can harness everyone’s strengths. In turn, you will avoid wasting your precious time on the small tasks which, while time-consuming, are necessary for your business success.
Shea also wants to remind leaders to celebrate their successes! And we’re not just talking about large milestones here. By celebrating small wins on a regular basis, you will create positive momentum and inspire yourself to keep working towards your larger goals. So give yourself a pat on the back for that new client, a small increase in sales, or even just finishing that pesky task that has been on your to-do list for weeks.
Finally, as a leader, it is incredibly helpful to find a community. Leadership can be difficult, and even lonely at times. That’s why it is so important to connect with others, not only for your mental health but also for the health of your business. Some ways to build a community as a leader include finding a group that is within your niche, singing up for group coaching, or investing in one-on-one coaching.
These Are the Benefits You Will See Once You Begin to See Yourself As a Leader
There are so many people who would be incredible leaders but are missing out on the opportunity to grow because they don’t see themselves as such. On top of that, many people are hesitant to even call themselves a leader, whether that be because of imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or fear of judgement.
But once you step into your leadership potential, you will reap countless benefits. First off, you will have more confidence to call the shots when making decisions. It’s great to get advice from others, but at the end of the day, what really matters is trusting your gut feeling. Once you see yourself as a leader, you will find the confidence to make the final call.
Another upside to being a leader is that leadership skills are transferable. Once you become a leader in your professional life, you’ll be able to lead at home and among friends as well. Implementing leadership into your role in your family will help to create the structure at home that you need to keep you organized and sane. And believe me, even your kids will thank you!
And prepare yourself, because becoming a leader will result in plenty of growth. When it comes to both your professional and personal goals, you’re sure to see progress and results once you begin to lead in your life. Being a leader will allow you to stay true to your desires, serve your community in a meaningful way, and get things done.
It’s never too late to take the lead in your life and step into the confidence that you deserve. The first steps are to change your mindset, believe in yourself, and be consistent, and the rest will follow.
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