Making the Jump from Manager to Leader

Nearly every hardworking individual in the business world has the similar goal of making it to the top of the corporate ladder. However, without properly setting one’s expectations and doing the necessary research, one can often be met with disappointment. This is because many people assume that once a higher position is achieved, they will be met with instant respect and positivity due to their new title alone. The reality is much harsher, as they tend to experience the opposite in a brand new position.

So, what is the solution to this? Changing the way you think is the first and, perhaps, most important step. Therefore, the following list includes a few mental tips for successfully making your first jump from manager to leader.

Leave Your Ego at the Door

Your ego should never be something that gets in the way of your success. A leader is someone who can handle criticism and accept when they are wrong. It also means completing tasks that may not necessarily fall under your normal umbrella of responsibilities. Should the task at hand be something small, do not hesitate to take matters into your own hands. Similarly, if an assignment of yours is eating up more time than you anticipated, do not be afraid to ask for assistance.

Stop and Listen

A true leader is one that understands that his or her level of experience may be significantly lower than that of their peers. Stop and listen to your employees during group meetings or projects. If nobody is offering any suggestions, do not hesitate to offer your own. When your staff feels comfortable expressing themselves, they feel valued and will very likely work even harder to provide you with better results. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through town hall meetings. This is where the staff is allowed to provide their concerns and suggestions in an open platform.

Strengthen Your Emotions

If there is one clear difference between a manager and a leader, it’s how they react emotionally to negative situations. A less experienced manager who faces rejection, whether it be from a client or boss, may point fingers and try to blame others for the poor outcome. True leaders hold their emotions firmly in the face of difficult situations and are not afraid to admit when they are the reason for failure. They ask what they could have done better and what they can offer their staff to remedy the situation for them as well.

Originally published at http://roburbach.home.blog on August 31, 2020.