Succeed as a Leader: Master These Five Essential Lessons!
5 Habits You Need to Break to Get Promoted into Leadership!
I’m excited to share some critical insights about advancing your career. You are all hard workers, ambitious, and excited to take that next big step in your career—be it a promotion or stepping up to a leadership role.
Here’s the thing, though: often, the habits that have gotten you where you are now may be the same habits that limit you from reaching the next level.
This talk will discuss five beginner-level habits that you should act against to step up. So, time to release this crap busy mentality and move into the next level of leadership you have been going for!
1. Not Paying Attention to Your Executive Image
Let’s start with one habit: many overlook your executive image. It’s natural to want to fit in early in your career.
You want to be part of the team and the group and blend in with your peers. At this stage, it’s all about doing the job well and not standing out too much. But you must think differently as you grow and aspire for leadership roles.
What I want you to think about is: Do you dress, groom, project, and even make faces like someone who is ready to lead? Or do you still look like you just graduated?
This has nothing to do with designer clothing or wearing a suit to work daily.
What matters is how you present yourself, exhibiting confidence, competence, and readiness for closing responsibilities. Your executive image is your brand— how others perceive you when they think of a leader.
Good Habit to Develop: Observe leaders you admire. Please pay attention to their posture, presence, and the way they speak through appearance.
Make that vision board of these leaders and ponder what you can adapt into your own style. Whether consciously or not, this new look and feel will change how others see and think of your leadership potential.
2. Aiming Too Small
This is a major one that is aiming too small. A lot of us unintentionally aim too low. We settle into our comfort zone and say, “This job is good for now”, or “Maybe I’m not ready to take on more responsibility.”
But here’s what you don’t want to have to admit: you’re playing safe, and that’s why you’re falling short of your full potential. You may even tell yourself your current job is “good enough,” but you know in your heart you want more.
You may feel resentment when a colleague is promoted. This may indicate that you’re ready for more, but fear or self-doubt keeps you it.”
To get over this habit, Write your dream job title. What’s your ideal role? What would you be responsible for?
Now, break it down. What skills would be essential for you to be successful in that role? Do some research — examine job descriptions for the position you want or speak with those already working there. You can find that you are closer to what you want than you believe!
If you set your sights higher and believe you can do more, you can start progressing towards that leadership spot.
3. Waiting for Opportunities to Come to You
Another habit that keeps many people stuck is waiting for opportunities to come their way. Maybe you’re working hard, doing an excellent job, and hoping your boss will notice and give you a promotion.
But here’s the truth: leadership roles aren’t just handed out to people who wait. You need to seek out opportunities to grow and showcase your potential actively.
If you’re waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey, it’s time for a promotion,” you might be waiting for a long time.
How to change this habit: Be vocal about your ambitions. Let your boss know you’re interested in taking on more responsibilities or are ready for new challenges.
Don’t be afraid to ask for projects that push you out of your comfort zone. Offer to help with tasks that are beyond your current role. Leaders are busy and will appreciate someone who takes initiative and is eager to grow.
Remember, opportunities don’t always come to those who wait - they come to those who ask.
4. Staying in Your Comfort Zone
We all love our comfort zones. It feels good to stick with what we know and do tasks we’re already great at.
But here’s the catch: growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. Leaders constantly challenge themselves, learn new things, and take risks.
If you want to advance, you need to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.
How to break this habit: Take a moment to reflect on the tasks and projects you’ve been doing at work. Are they the same ones you’ve been doing for a while?
Are you comfortable because you’ve mastered them? If so, it’s time to push yourself. Seek new projects that force you to develop new skills, even if it initially feels scary or uncertain.
Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready for something. Growth happens when you take on challenges that stretch your abilities.
When you volunteer for tasks outside your usual responsibilities, you will learn and show your boss that you’re willing to grow and ready for leadership.
Remember: Leadership is about growth; growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. Embrace the unknown, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve.
5. Lacking People Skills
This is the single most damaging habit that prevents people from being leaders. At the entry-level position, they are only looking to do the job and showcase their technical skills.
But as you climb the corporate ladder, your people skills matter much more than your technical skills.
Leaders have a great task orientation but also great people skills, which allow them to form relationships, motivate others, and bring about collaboration. If you want to get into a leadership position, you will need to work on your people skills.
Tips for Becoming Better at People Skills:
Start practising a little more awareness of how you connect with your co-workers, managers, and customers.
Do you listen to them? Do you make them feel valued? Do you cope with each other’s conflicts in calm and respectful ways?
People skills go beyond being nice. They involve understanding what others need, offering help, and finding ways to get the most out of people.
Great leaders inspire their teams and know how to build an environment where everyone will succeed.
If you know you need to improve on this, numerous resources are available to help. You should also think about reading books or taking classes on communication and leadership.
Empathy and active listening need to be practiced in everyday life. Regardless, over time, you will realize that these skills make you a better leader, and your peers will respect and appreciate you more.
Final Thoughts: Dance to the Beat of Leadership
In short, if you’re serious about moving up to management, you need to let go of the habits that helped you in initial stages of your career as a team member.
Be mindful of your executive presence and act like a leader.
However, aim higher, and don’t let self-doubt restrict your potential!
Instead of waiting for an opportunity, go out and create it.
Do things that you have never done before.
Work on your people skills because leading is working with and inspiring others.
Learn success habits:
By eliminating these habits and replacing them with new, growth-oriented behaviours, you can begin your road to career success. “Leadership is not only doing what you do well, demonstrating that you are ready for more, to lead and influence others, and to create a larger impact.”
So, start today! Accept these differences, and you will be surprised at the advancements you will make. You are the only thing keeping you from leadership success! So take charge and step boldly into your future.
Thank you for your time. I am excited to see you step into the leadership roles you have aspired to!
