It's tough to lead, especially people

Read time: 5 min or less

I know, I know. Yogi Berra didn't say that. But it has a ring to it...

This week I'm going to give you solutions to four of the Top 20 Leadership Challenges, for leaders at all levels. I'll be quick, I promise. Buckle up...

A recent research report "Top 20 Leadership Challenges" analyzed data from tens of thousands of leaders across the globe of all levels in many industries and identified the top 5 challenges each for leaders at four levels:

• Frontline Manager
• Mid-Level Leader
• Senior Leader
• Executive

Each level had one Challenge related to "Personal Improvement" or "Social Intelligence", and I'll break these down with actions you can take today to improve. Feel free to peek ahead at the challenges people in more senior roles are facing, too.

Self Mastery — Frontline Manager Focus

• Self-awareness — maintaining a productive state
• Self-control — active listening and behaving with intent
• Self-confidence — being assertive and proactive

The #1 thing you can do to overcome Self Mastery challenges is to learn to check your mindset before important interactions. This will give you a chance to become aware of your state and manage your responses — so you will be able to practice active listening and choose your responses carefully. Ask yourself "am I in the best state of mind for what I'm about to do?"

"The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly." — Jim Rohn

Contextual Intelligence — Mid-Level Leader Focus

• Understanding your impact on others
• Choosing a communication style appropriate to the situation
• Resisting Impostor Syndrome — Knowing your abilities and contribution

The #1 thing you can do to overcome Contextual Intelligence challenges beyond the mindset check we covered in the previous item is... pay attention to the way people respond to you, and consider what its like to receive the feedback, direction or other communication you are giving. Learn what works best for each of your people. Make a genuine effort to

The #2 thing is about Impostor Syndrome — BTW, I am not a fan of this term. We all have moments of doubt or aspects of our role we are less confident in. Realize that if you aren't operating at least partially outside your circle of competence, you are definitely underperforming per your abilities. You make friends by meeting people. You build skills by trying them. Remember this: If you are in the room, you belong in the room.

Social Aptitude — Senior Leader Focus

• Understanding how others perceive you
• Adaptable style to fit the situation
• Showing both humility and confidence

The #1 thing you can do to overcome Social Aptitude challenges beyond the mindset check and paying attention from the previous two items is... realizing that as smart and as accomplished as you are, your goal is for your team to have the knowledge, skills and judgment to make many decisions you'd agree with — show humility by making space for them to show what they can do. Ask more questions and make fewer statements. Let the insight of your questions show your confidence and competence.

Magnetic Leadership — Executive Focus

• Building effective relationships through rapport and trust
• Articulating a compelling vision
• Effective influence through appropriate use of suasion and power

The #1 thing you can do to overcome Magnetic Leadership challenges beyond the mindset check, paying attention and insightful questions from the previous three items is... Consistently communicate the "why" in addition to the "what". That applies to your vision as well as lower level things.

The #2 thing is about use of power. Deploying power has its place. Usually when a strong intervention is needed due to urgency or impact of something that needs to be corrected. It is easier to build and maintain strong trust relationships when applications are less common and less severe. If power is the first tool you reach for, you will find yourself with an unproductive culture. If power is present but not omni-present, your people will pay extra attention when you use it. How much better would it be for you if your people brought you solutions aligned with your values in the first place?

What "Personal Improvement" or "Social Intelligence" challenge do you face or have you overcome? Reply with your thoughts or stories on leadership principles, questions on this topic, topics you'd like to see me cover, or just to let me know how you are getting on!

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See you again next week!

— Gregor