True leadership goes beyond titles and authority. Leadership is more about cultivating the intrinsic qualities in oneself that can aid in bringing the best out of others. True leaders back themselves- whether it be in taking the tough calls or in confidently navigating unforeseen challenges. Having the right mindset is the key to having a successful stint as a leader.

What is the Leadership Mindset?

Leadership goes beyond simply allocating tasks and supervising the work. A leadership mindset involves having the right attitude, right brief, and right expectations that create the foundation of your leadership style. The first step towards building a leadership mindset is to be aware of the key qualities leaders possess and take conscious steps towards cultivating the same qualities in yourself. There are certain initiatives you can add to your work life to aid that transition.

1. Take Ownership and Responsibility

It all starts by holding yourself accountable and responsible for the actions of your team. Take ownership of all the outcomes whether success or failure. Good leaders don’t shy away when things go off the rails, rather they grab the challenge by the scruff of its neck and tackle it head-on. Be open to admitting your mistakes when you make them. 

Doing all this will help you build trust in your team. Your team members would also not shy away from giving innovative suggestions and constructive feedback, helping you build synergies and achieving maximum team productivity. Team members also appreciate having leaders who do not hoard credit and rather give credit to the collective. 

2. Continue Learning

Learning extends beyond academics and upskilling courses. Be open and receptive to new methods, ideas, and processes. Whether you’re already working your way up the chain of management at a big corporation, or you’re just starting out in a leadership course like the Rockhurst University online Ed.D. programs, there is always more to learn. 

Be curious, seek knowledge, and try to refine your knowledge base and skills. It is easy to get stuck in the comfort zone and let things be as they are. However, the zeal and vigor to learn is what sets the greats apart. You can learn anything and everything related to emerging industry trends, personal development, or even something specific like leadership strategies. For instance, if you are Head of Digital Marketing at a startup, you can learn about AI-SEO trends, public speaking as well as one-to-one leadership strategies.

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3. Think About the Future

A leader always has an eye on the horizon and is looking to the future of the company. It is easy to be blindsided by short-term business challenges and client deadlines. But taking the time out to think about long-term planning is key. Doing so can also allow you to paint a promising vision of the future, something your teammates can strive for. This can also enable you to anticipate game-changing opportunities as well as threats. 

4. Be Self-Aware and Humble

Self-awareness and humility are cornerstones of a solid leader. It is important to be aware of what your shortcomings are and seek help when necessary. There is a very thin line between being docile and overtly confident. Employees tend to undermine those who seem meek and also do not respond well to overtly domineering leaders. Hence, maintaining a delicate balance is tough but important. Leaders who are open to suggestions also create an environment that is ripe for creative thinking and brainstorming, promoting innovation. 

Being a leader can be a daunting prospect at first, especially if you have no experience. It is important to back yourself, own up to both the wins and losses, and garner the trust and respect of your teammates. Having a mindset of constant evolution and learning can be a great asset to a good leader in the long run, opening doors to upskilling and relearning. Having an eye on the horizon can also be beneficial to the organization, enabling long-term planning. Finally, being self-aware and grounded can send the right message to everyone. It can make you more approachable as well as promote creative thinking. You will have to don many hats while being a leader. By keeping these four principles in mind as the pillars of your leadership style, you start by putting the right foot forward.