My Personal Leadership Experience: How I Transformed My Position Through a Unique Leadership Style
When I started my career, I never thought leadership would be something I was interested in. However, as time passed, I started to see the importance of it. As I stepped into a leadership role, I had to learn how to manage people. But that wasn’t enough. I realized that to be an effective leader, I needed to have a certain style. It took some time, but I was able to find my unique leadership style that transformed my position. In this article, I’ll share my experience and the insights I gained.
Understanding Leadership Styles
The first thing I did was research leadership styles. I found that there are four main styles – authoritative, democratic, affiliative, and coaching. I identified with the democratic style as it suited my personality. A democratic leader empowers their team and involves them in the decision-making process. This meant that I had to work on my communication skills and build trust with my team.
Next, I worked on developing a clear vision for my team. As a democratic leader, I knew that I had to align my vision with that of my team’s. This meant that I had to listen to their opinions and understand their needs. I organized brainstorming sessions where my team could freely express their ideas. This helped me to understand their strengths and weaknesses and use this to my advantage.
Leading with Empathy
Another aspect of my unique leadership style was empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand other people’s emotions and perspectives. As a leader, empathy allows me to connect with my team and tailor my approach to each individual’s needs. I make an effort to listen actively, show appreciation and be approachable. This made my team feel valued and motivated to work harder.
Importance of Continuous Learning
In addition, I cultivated a growth mindset. I recognized that I had gaps in my leadership skills, so I started attending training sessions and read books on leadership. This not only helped me build my confidence as a leader but also allowed me to gain new perspectives and further develop my unique leadership style.
The Impact of My Unique Leadership Style
The impact of my unique leadership style was evident. I had a cohesive team that worked well together. They trusted me and each other, which allowed us to achieve our goals. By giving my team a sense of ownership and involvement in our projects, it created a positive and collaborative work environment.
Conclusion
This personal leadership experience taught me that a unique leadership style can have a significant impact. A democratic style, coupled with empathy and a growth mindset, allowed me to transform my position and create a positive work environment. As a leader, it’s important to find your unique style and continuously learn and adapt to improve it.
