Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Drowning?

Hi Meaningful Leader,

This is one of those “let’s get real” articles…uncomfortable yet, necessary.

Are you a struggling manager who feels like you’re constantly drowning in everyday demands from your organization, responsibilities and team?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but you don’t have to stay stuck in a rut.

Leadership skills can be developed on the job – and you don’t have to sacrifice the time you need to manage those everyday demands; while you equip yourself for the challenge.

Start by setting yourself a goal. Think about what kind of leader you want to become and identify any areas of development you need to work on. Perform a skill-gap analysis. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.

Don’t expect to reach the next level overnight. Give yourself grace, but have a define plan to follow.

Purpose + Plan + Action = Success

Next, make sure you have your refill your cup. Find time to relax and recharge so you have the energy and focus to develop your skills. It’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day too – this will help your mind stay sharp and alert.

Keep in mind that we cannot give, wheat we ourselves lack. Filling our cup constantly it not a luxury, but a necessity.

Now, look for ways to engage with your team. Take the time to get to know your team members and understand their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you appreciate their individual needs and how you can best support them.

After all, team building is relationship building. Don’t be afraid to get personal and to a degree vulnerable. Your leadership role doesn’t exempt you from being as human as each one of the members of your team. Learning to connect at a deeper level, will help you to develop your influence and become the trustworthy leader your team needs and wants.

In case you don’t yet have a team to lead, you should also look for opportunities to lead. Volunteer to lead projects, meetings, or initiatives. This will help you practice your leadership skills in a real-life environment.

Leading cross- functionally can be as challenging as having the responsibility over a team. Stakeholder management will become your best friend and that’s for sure a skill worth developing.

Finally, don’t forget to network. Connect with other leaders and industry professionals to build your knowledge and gain valuable advice. You should also look for ways to share your knowledge and experience with others.

We are always stronger in numbers. As human beings we were created to crave community and a sense of belonging. finding a network and mentorship from a leader you admire, will help you to fine-tune your skills; while having access to opportunities you won’t have on your own.

Leadership skills can be developed on the job without having to sacrifice the time you need to manage everyday demands. Set yourself a goal, reserve time in your calendar for self-development activities, find time to refill your cup, engage with your team, lead projects and initiatives, and network with other industry professionals. With these steps, you can develop the leadership skills you need to succeed.

I hope you found value here today. If you did, you know the drill – please like, comment and share with one amazing leader who can benefit from this content.

Thanks for reading and God bless,

Maria

Always rooting for you!