Guest Blog-Heather Hall
LEAD FROM BEHIND
When you think of leaders, you probably think of the person who’s out in front, standing at center stage, or already at the top of the ladder. Perhaps you think there’s only one leader for each team. Maybe you think they earned their position because they’re “The Best.”
Would it surprise you to learn that everyone is a leader?
We all have moments when we’re called upon to step up and stand out. In fact, the team is incomplete without you and needs all of us to operate at its best.
Every one of us brings unique gifts to help the team. And each of us may be “The Hero” sometimes.
But being a leader isn’t about the title. I’m sure you can name several “leaders” you’ve known who you wouldn’t want to follow.
Receiving a fancy title won’t automatically bestow upon you the skills a leader needs to be successful. Skills like integrity, empathy, influence, communication, and the ability to delegate and motivate (to name a few) are essential for your success and can be developed.
The best leaders support their teams – upline, downline, across departments – in whatever way their team needs them, regardless of their title.
And being the leader shouldn’t require you to perform heroics. In fact, like the tortoise and the hare, consistently showing up and contributing will take you further than any flashy save.
As a Leadership Coach, many of my clients share their frustrations about bosses and organizations which don’t recognize or reward them for their contributions. Often, as we explore the situation, we find that they are hiding. In many cases, their being overlooked was part of a plan they’d written themselves and forgotten. But now they’re ready for a new plan and need help getting started.
Where fear of the spotlight keeps you from speaking up and shining a light on your own brilliance, we uncover your “hidden genius” and identify ways to work your magic without breaking a sweat. Maybe your superpower is writing a stellar report or analyzing the data for trends & anomalies or reading the room and reflecting on the needs of the group. Sharing your insights for the greater good is an important way to build integrity and credibility.
If you took a backseat in your career – to support your spouse, raise your kids, care for aging parents – it’s not too late to rewrite the trajectory. Clarity of purpose and intentional application of your strengths can move you forward. Now’s the time to build your network, collaborate with colleagues and communicate with your boss. Let them know you have renewed interest and demonstrate your dedication to the team.
And when you’ve always been told you’re “mousy,” “a wallflower,” or “too quiet,” but you want to succeed and climb that corporate ladder, you can learn how to use the tools in your toolbox to build the career you dream of and achieve success on your own terms. You can lead from behind and you can rise in the ranks.
As an introvert, I know how challenging and frustrating this can be.
Resetting the expectations of your manager & colleagues – many of whom may have known you for years – and giving them an opportunity to see you shine can be scary.
Speaking up and sharing your opinions, especially if your ideas have been shot down or stolen in the past, will take practice, poise and persistence.
Taking control of that spotlight and shining it on yourself will make the butterflies in your tummy do cartwheels.
Yes, and you can do this!
You can speak up for yourself, make sure you are seen & heard, and be sure the boss knows your contributions. This is how you achieve the recognition and rewards you deserve.
You don’t have to be a badass (unless you want to)!
You don’t need to put on airs, armor up, or wear a superhero’s uniform (although, wearing a cape can be fun). You don’t even have to leave the back row. But it definitely helps if you take a seat at the table!
Know that you are already a leader. Know that you can define success on your own terms. And know that you have lots of people in your corner, cheering you on to success.
~~~~~
About Heather:
Heather Hall is a Leadership Coach and the founder of Discover With Heather, where she helps aspiring leaders become inspiring leaders. As an introvert, she knows that many of our promising leaders are unseen and unheard. Her mission is to help everyone embrace their unique contributions and empower them with the tools to reach success on their own terms.
You can find Heather at:
https://discoverwithheather.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-l-hall/
https://www.instagram.com/discover_with_heather/
https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverWithHeather
email: Heather@DiscoverWithHeather.com