Written by: Stacey Ruth, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It might sound mutinous to suggest that you lead instead of your boss, but hear me out. An astonishing number of bosses don’t understand the distinction between managing and leading. As a result, they fail to lead effeactively. Instead, they micromanage, second-guess decisions, fail to share (or even set) clear strategies, provide mixed signals, play favorites, and create more emergencies than they solve. This creates confusion and frustration inside their teams, which is especially problematic in times of change or disruption. It also blocks leadership development from within the organization. The great news is that you can lead from anywhere in the hierarchy; demonstrating balanced behaviors that improve productivity and satisfaction for everyone.
A Call to Leadership
It is absolutely possible – and I propose, sometimes necessary – to lead, even if you aren’t the boss. This mandate to lead is independent of whether the “boss” is leading effectively or not.
Leadership is the responsibility to see those around us rise.
It’s not about being in charge.
It’s about taking care of those in our charge.
— Simon Sinek
Leadership has several defining characteristics that anyone can practice from any role and any level of responsibility. When we stop waiting for permission and take up the mantel of leadership responsibility, the entire organization benefits, including us. While this may not create enough of an impact to keep you in your present work environment, it is still both empowering and motivating. When we are empowered and motivated it is easier to recognize possibilities and determine the merits of staying or making a change. We improve our own sense of worth and confidence so making a change is less threatening as well.
20 Leadership Traits You Can Practice Right Now
The 20 key attributes of leadership are a matter of practice. It is undoubtedly easier to practice them under the mentorship of an effective leader. However, when you understand what these attributes are, then study and practice them, it is possible to make tangible progress without assistance. Each trait is a practice all by itself, so take your time as you visit each one. See how you rank in your current behaviors. You may notice some traits are missing in your current boss. That’s okay. We are all human. You can lead by example. Here is how you can begin to implement each one:
Integrity – Integrity is about understanding your own values, and a strong sense of who you are authentically. You act in integrity with your own principles, independent of what others may say or do in response, simply because you know it is the right thing to do.
Communication – great leaders are also great communicators. This doesn’t mean they necessarily are powerful orators or masters of language. It simply means they – and now you – say what you mean, when it is timely and helpful to do so. It is clear, neither passive nor aggressive, but simply assertive, and above all, open.
Self-awareness – self-awareness is the foundation of authenticity and recognizes underlying desires, motives, and emotions, which allows you to make conscious decisions about how you will act, rather than reflexive reactions. Self-awareness keeps you out of drama, complaining, and gossip.
Influence – when you lead, you understand that your voice, personal viewpoint, and unique skills and strengths have real merit. You stop being in the victim role and assert yourself in the conversation with confidence and respect for others as well.
Empathy – we all want to be seen, understood, and cared about. Leaders understand this and are able to provide empathy to those around them without losing themselves, or becoming overly co-dependent in the process. Empathy is the highest form of recognition and creates appropriate action and engagement as a result.
Courage – it has been said that courage is feeling fear and doing it anyway. This is exactly what is required for any leader, regardless of their job title. It takes courage to do what needs to be done, regardless of how it is perceived. It takes courage to speak up when others are going along with the status quo. The result can be initially disruptive or challenging, but in the end, courage is what gives us our own sense of empowerment.
Respect – when you have the deep self-respect that comes from self-awareness and integrity, then it is easier to respect others – even those who don’t agree with you. In fact, you will find that your need to be disrespectful of others disappears. This great respect for everyone is born out of great self-respect, including respect for your own boundaries, self-care, and abilities.
Motivation – when you are motivated and filled with passion for what you are doing it inspires motivation in everyone around you. Finding motivation within yourself is easier when you can discover your sense of meaning and purpose. Once you have identified it, you can apply your purpose to everything you do, no matter how mundane. Building a budget and sending an email are full of meaning when seen from the perspective of how they are moving you towards your greater goals.
Creativity – Leaders are creative thinkers. Essential creativity is about innovation. It looks for new ideas, approaches, improvements, and tools. It is the growth mindset we hear so much about, that keeps each of us evolving to our next level of success and fulfillment. It isn’t as important that every idea is accepted and acted on, but that creativity is simply a part of your own discovery process.
Vision – Today we are so overly busy and distracted that we forget to stop and look around us. Where are you headed? What do you want to create more of in your life? How would you like to be remembered? These are heady questions we forget to ask ourselves, and as a result, they can feel too enormous. Leaders are required to set the vision and strategy for themselves and others, so begin by just considering these ideas in small, daily doses. Gradually your answers will emerge.
Humility – leaders share the struggles and the wins, therefore, recognition is just a side-effect of their service, not the end objective. It is important to note that humility is not the same as being overly humble, but about seeing oneself as a leader among equals, giving credit where credit is due.
Focus – a distracted, multi-tasking leader is highly ineffective. They miss non-verbal cues, overlook key danger signs, as well as windows of opportunity. Leadership focus is about seeing the patterns and bigger picture much more than the details. While you can understand the importance of details, ensuring they are handled, you are always looking down the road for the next turn.
Coach – Coaching is about asking powerful questions that help others uncover their own hidden beliefs and answers. It accelerates the growth and discovery process, just as it accelerates and focuses the performance of great athletes. Leaders are able to do this for themselves and for others around them. Done well, you can even coach your boss.
Change Agent – Leaders shake things up in order to grow and move forward. Sometimes they change the focus of a conversation, and sometimes they change roles and responsibilities. Think about where you could make a small, meaningful change in how you tackle projects and processes that could help you and your team be more productive or effective.
Accountability – do you own your role and actions? Then you are accountable. Whether you are meeting deadlines, delivering quality work, or making your quota, you take full responsibility. Not only that, you take responsibility for when you screw up, step on toes, or undermine someone else. When you own your wins and your errors you build enormous trust.
Problem-solver – identifying a problem is a far cry from solving it, but it is a good first step. When you see a problem, before you announce it to your team or your boss, stop and think about how you could be a part of creating a solution to the problem. Leaders are always looking for solutions.
Decision-maker – making a decision is making a commitment to a particular course of action, and as a result, setting aside other actions. It isn’t always 100% clear which choice is the right choice, or if there are in fact many effective choices or no obviously good ones. So, making a decision always contains an element of risk. Leaders embrace risk and make decisions knowing they can learn and grow from those decisions that are less than perfect.
Curious – It can seem so much easier to let someone else decide for us, point the way and do all the thinking. It also is disempowering. Curiosity on the other hand is always scanning for what isn’t fully understood, known, or discovered. Without it, there would be no innovation or growth. Rediscover your inner wonder, and explore seeing the world (yes, even your stuffy old job) with fresh eyes. It’s contagious.
Self-Disciplined – Discipline that is imposed on us in the form of rules and regulations can work to build habits, but it also stifles free will. When we are internally motivated to meet our goals and stay focused, then our self-esteem and self-confidence soar. Self-disciplined leaders are willing to do the things that need to be done and serve as a living example for their teams.
Resilient – how readily do you bounce back after a disappointment or failure? When conditions and circumstances throw you a curveball, are you able to regain your balance and reset with minimal downtime? That’s the hallmark of a resilient individual, and leaders need to cultivate this trait in order to demonstrate to their teams, not only that it is possible, but what it looks like. Resilient leaders build resilient teams.
Self-Leadership is the Key to All Leadership
If you begin applying the 20 leadership traits above in all aspects of your life, and, of course, especially your work, then you will be practicing self-leadership. Self-leadership is the overarching attribute of true leadership for others. It is about knowing who you are, recognizing what you want, and taking the action that moves you toward them. It encompasses what we do, why we do it, and how we do it. Therefore, it is obviously much bigger than your job, your team, your boss, or your organization. Leadership becomes about you. It transcends whatever frustrations you have and guides you into something more expansive and fulfilling.
So if your boss seems to lack leadership, you will be able to identify how you can reclaim your respect, power, passion, and clarity on the spot using the traits of self-leadership. You might create a ripple effect that positively impacts your entire organization – or you might just make enough change in yourself to find a position better suited for a leader like you.
Stacey Ruth, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Leadership Coach, Stacey Ruth, is an acclaimed marketer, entrepreneur, minister, and founder of two multimillion-dollar agencies. She has been named one of the Top 50 Entrepreneurs in Atlanta and twice as one of the Top 100 “It” Agencies by Experiential Marketer Magazine. She did all this while struggling with two failed marriages, imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and stress-related health issues. This inner crash from outer success triggered the spiritual journey that took her to Manchu Picchu and had her walking across the fire. This was when she learned how we all could rise above circumstances to become irresistible and unstoppable. Today, Stacey advocates for leaders ready to reach their next level with clarity and confidence - most especially women leaders like herself. Stacey is the author of Own Your Own Shift: The Power, Passion, and Freedom to Be Unstoppable.
