Self-awareness is the strongest predictor of success among leaders. However, an overwhelming majority of people believe that they are self-aware when, in fact, only ten percent of individuals actually are. So how can you improve your leadership skills? Leading With Clarity addresses the actionable steps you need to take in order to achieve your leadership goals, inspire others, and promote a successful organization.
1. Self-Reflection
The first step in any journey that involves making positive changes is self-reflection. Ask yourself, “What are my goals and intentions?” For example, if your goal is to develop an exercise routine, your intention may be to become healthier and more energetic.
Kim Richards is a communication strategist who is passionate about education innovation. Over the past decade, she has been a consultant for mission-driven organizations, serving education nonprofits, K-16 schools, and community-minded companies that manage communication strategy and public outreach efforts.
Richards asks, “What impact do you want to have on your leadership and school community?” These self-reflection questions are meant to get you thinking about your intentions so that you can focus on a singular leadership goal. You’ll also want to identify the biggest professional challenge that you are currently facing.
2. Planning for Success
A well-formulated action plan for leadership goals requires you to understand your personality type, strengths, and how you interact with others. Richards explains, “When it comes to leadership, knowing your strengths and those of your team creates synergy, efficiency, and productivity.”
Plan with intention. Reflect honestly on your communication process and how effective it is with your team. What changes can you implement to become a more productive leader? These questions, and their feedback, will help you develop actionable steps to attain your leadership goals.
Next, you’ll want to begin personalizing your communication plan. This should be tailored based on your specific goal that needs to be addressed. Make sure the final plan aligns with your overall mission and vision statement as well. Finally, schedule any opportunities you have to communicate your newly established messages with the community. How will your message support them and improve their lives?
3. Community Feedback
Surveys are an important source of data used to better understand your community. Richards explains that “understanding your community and being able to effectively communicate with them is a critical step in leading with clarity because without community input, your outreach will end up one-directional, and that’s never productive.”
Consider how you can effectively engage your team and community. Who is managing community outreach? Once you have identified the answers to these questions, you’ll be on the right track toward creating a culture of openness and respect to establish a positive community connection. Leading with clarity is easy when you prioritize empathy, authenticity, and innovation in your communication.
Interested in learning more about how you can achieve your leadership goals? Explore the course demo on Leading With Clarity today!
