The mindset decides: empowered leadership
Early 2019 I developed my ‘Sit in the driver’s seat’ concept for successful leadership and self-leadership. In the preparation phase I gathered everything I observed, learned and practiced myself and formulated 20 propositions for empowered leadership. I find them more relevant than ever in the present crisis time and want to share them. What do you think about them, what are your experiences? Where do you not agree?
- Take the wheel – make your own decisions, do not wait for someone to take them for you
- Knowing your strengths and trusting your guts and skills – motivates others and gives employees security
- Take responsibility for your own development – do not wait for someone to do it for you
- It’s worth raising your hand – you can learn and grow from new challenges
- It connects to ask others for help, no matter what rank or function
- It is worthwhile to have confidence and trust in employees
- To have an opinion, to stand up for your opinion, to raise your voice, to have the courage to say yes, the courage to say no – makes you visible and gains you respect
- Accept mistakes, including your own, learn from them and change course if necessary
- Connecting with people, working with people, encouraging, developing and motivating them – gives you purpose and re-enforces your own strength
- Don’t strive to be loved by everyone – nurture those who love you
- Be generous to yourself and others – we are all humans
- Be generous with praise and appreciation AND do not shy away from difficult conversations
- Bear criticism, check the facts and don’t take it personally
- Learn to deal with failure – sometimes you win, sometimes you learn – accept disappointment as part of life
- Stand by yourself, your identity, your values, your whole self with strengths, weaknesses, contradictions and everything you experienced, achieved, suffered and won
- Meet people, no matter where they come from, what rank they hold or what background they have, with appreciation and openness – as humans on an equal footing
- Stand by your word – the most powerful way to gain trust and loyalty
- You must not and cannot always be right – accept your imperfection
- Do something you are afraid of – embrace your fear until it loses its horror
- Close the door – only relaxation can relieve stress; make sure you get sufficient rest and play time.