Grow as a Leader by Experimenting with Different Leadership Styles
To grow as a leader you must dive into projects and activities, interact with different kinds of people, experiment with new ways of getting things done – and try out various leadership styles.
Authenticity has become the gold standard for leadership. But as INSEAD professor Herminia Ibarra argues, a simplistic understanding of what authenticity means can limit leaders’ growth and impact.
All too often, we tend to latch on to authenticity as an excuse for sticking with what’s comfortable. But few jobs allow us to do that for long. Here we look at how leaders can develop an “adaptively authentic” style by experimenting with many different leadership approaches. It’s OK to change tactics from one day to the next in order to figure out what’s right for the challenges and circumstances we face.Three strategies can help you break free from a self-concept that’s too rigid.
Learn from diverse role models.
Growth necessarily involves some form of imitation, but don’t copy just one person’s leadership style. Borrow selectively from various people to create your own collage.
Work on getting better.
Set learning goals—not just performance targets—to focus on the value of experimentation. Stretch the limits of who you are by doing new things that make you uncomfortable but help you discover by direct experience whom you want to become.
Don’t stick to “your story.”
Jettison outdated self-concepts and draw on personal narratives that fit your circumstances as you’re taking on new challenges.
Xenonex delivers effective and impactful leadership development programmes that focus on developing an understanding of what good leadership looks like; insights into self and current behaviour, and its effectiveness; and improving those behaviours to be more effective as a leader.
Our innovative and bespoke client-centred solutions cover all aspects of Executive Coaching, Leadership Development and training across the UK. We work at Executive, Senior and Middle Management levels to maximise and transform the way people work.
To find out more contact Jo Watson, Business Development Manager on 01423 876371 or email jo.watson@xenonex.co.uk