How to Stand Confidently in Your Leadership Power

When it comes to making any change in the workplace, it has to start with you, no matter what your title may be.

To lead others effectively, you must first understand yourself. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is so important, especially in a crisis. Self-awareness is your most influential tool. Without it, you're flying blind, and that's not badass leadership.

For example, let’s say you have a terrible temper and it tends to flare up in high-stress situations. You need to know this about yourself so you can manage it and not let it disrupt what you need to do in these situations.

In a crisis, staying even-keeled is a non-negotiable. If you know your faults, you can work on them. And in my experience, calm leaders attract others like moths to a flame.

Take Personality Tests

This isn't a hokey exercise. Personality tests are exceptional at pinpointing who you are.

The results will amaze you with their accuracy. You'll likely recognize most of the traits, but the affirmation of your strengths is powerful. These tests can be the first step in recognizing and owning your unique attributes.

Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, StrengthsFinder, and the Big Five personality traits assessment offer profound insights. They can reveal patterns in your behavior, preferences, and interactions, providing a clearer picture of your leadership style and how you can optimize it.

Take these tests even further and share the results with your team! Teams that take personality tests together create a deeper mutual understanding for each other.

For instance, if a team member struggles with confrontation and tends to be quiet during conflicts, sharing this insight helps the team adapt to his or her style, improving overall communication and reducing misunderstandings. This process eliminates much of the guesswork in interactions. Often, people hesitate to share their vulnerabilities directly, but personality tests provide a comfortable way to convey this information.

My husband and I took the tests and it’s so enlightening – now I understand why my extroverted husband always has people over!

Ask Your Friends and Mentors About You

Your colleagues and mentors see you in action. They know your superpowers. Ask them, “What do you see as my strengths?” When I did this, the feedback was eye-opening. I was told:

I’m very fair.
I always make sure everyone is involved.
I’m calm under pressure.
I lift people up, find their hidden strengths, and position them for success.

This kind of feedback is invaluable. It’s honest, direct, and it builds your self-awareness. Don’t just ask for the positives; inquire about areas for improvement too. Constructive criticism is a goldmine for growth. Your peers’ perspectives can reveal blind spots you weren’t aware of and reinforce the qualities you should continue to work on.

Reflect on Your Past

Stop. Sit down. Think.

We often rush through life without pausing to reflect. Look back on your previous roles. Analyze different situations where you succeeded. What traits helped you? Now, think about the situations where you didn't do so well. What happened? Which unfavorable traits came into play?

Look at both sides of the coin. This balanced self-reflection is essential. It's about understanding the full spectrum of who you are.

Journaling can be a helpful tool in this process. Documenting your experiences allows you to track your progress and identify recurring themes. Reflect on how you handled conflicts, motivated your team, and dealt with setbacks. This introspection can illuminate patterns that guide your future actions.

Stand Confidently in Your Power

Own your strengths. Acknowledge your weaknesses.

By doing so, you’ll stand stronger in your power, leading with the confidence and clarity that only true self-awareness can bring.

This isn’t just leadership – it’s badass leadership.

Embark on this journey of self-discovery with determination and an open mind. The impact will ripple through your professional and personal life, elevating your ability to lead with authenticity, integrity, and unwavering strength.

If you want to learn more about how you can be a more authentic leader, reach out to me and let’s talk!