124 / TAKING UP YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLEDeveloping yourself
Reflecting and reviewing
The best way to accelerate your own
development and increase awareness
of yourself and of others is through
regular review and reflection. Put aside
an hour every week for self-analysis
and contemplation.
Start by reviewing your current
development needs. Ask yourself how
much of your activity the preceding week
contributed to achieving your stated
vision and objectives. Next, look at
your future development needs and
assess your progress against your
stated leadership competencies. Finally,
consider the ideas you have for the next
steps in your career; are you honing the
skills now that you know will be needed
for your career progress?In this action-oriented world, many of us devote insufficient time and
energy to our own development. Yet dedicated time for self-development
is absolutely essential when it comes to growing your character and your
own individual brand of leadership, as well as the attitudes, skills, and
behaviors that will exemplify leadership to others.LISTEN TO YOURSELF
Review your own progress
by questioning yourself:
are you building on your
strengths and minimizing your
weaknesses? Are you training
your team and delegating to
them successfully? Are you
scheduling time to develop
key relationships?Tip
YOUR LONG-TERM
DEVELOPMENT
As you mature as a leader,
you will need to undertake
weekly reviews of your
own development and
achievements. However,
you should also take time
to think about your long-term
goals, and your progress
toward them. How well are
you living up to your life
principles? How have you
dealt with disappointment
and adversity? Have you
managed to increase your
level of performance? Have
you fulfilled commitments
to yourself and others? Are
you happy in your career?
What are your next steps?
The more you learn, the
more you realize you
still have to learn. At
this point, you might
consider seeking advice
from a career counselor.In focus
US_124-125_Developing_yourself.indd 124 30/05/16 3:02 pm