Five Thoughts for a New Leader

First time leadership in a business environment can be an exciting, as well as an overwhelming experience. Many of us have been in that position at one time or another. Quite often, we forget just what it was like to try and "survive" in our first leadership position.

Five thoughts for a new leader to remember:

1. Everyone is capable of being a competent leader. We all have leadership capabilities within us. Maybe some more than others, but the fact remains, provided the proper developmental opportunities, we all can grow our leadership skills and learn to perform as effective team leaders, supervisors and managers.
2. All great leaders were once in your shoes. Your supervisor/manager was once a new leader who probably was thinking the same thoughts you. And at times, wondering just what they got themselves into, just like you are. As with any new beginning, there are almost always "growing pains" of some type. We've all made many of the same mistakes, (although, some of us don't like to admit to them). Perseverance is the key.
3. You wouldn't have the position if someone didn't think you could do it well. It's not very likely that you were given this new opportunity just because of your bubbling personality. Your management team members believe you are capable; otherwise someone else would have gotten the position. As my grandson says, "Gpa, that's a duhh."
4. Pick the best leaders you have ever known and emulate their skills. Really look at how they treated people. Not just on the surface of their everyday work, but how they inspired people to complete their work rather than directing them. They were very good at managing systems and leading people.
5. Pick the worst leaders you have ever known and remember what it was like to work for them. They key phrase here is "work for them". That's just what you were doing. How motivated were you to come to work every day? They may have gotten the task accomplished, but at what price?

Gary Arnold, President of Integrated Peak Solutions is an expert at helping individuals and organizations discover, align and focus on achieving their goals. By emphasizing leadership development, he helps them realize their own internal strengths, as well as those they need to build upon.

His company, Integrated Peak Solutions, helps organizations achieve people and process excellence by providing consulting and development services to customers and community organizations. IPS is building a rich history of improving the organizations it services though its efforts to ensure anyone who comes in contact with them sustains a positive development experience.