Leading at the Next Level

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a true leader" John Quincy Adams

In order to start with small things, we need to lead people to bigger things. As John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, puts it - if we encourage others to dream, learn, do or become more - then we are truly exhibiting leadership.

But how do we do this? In order to change the face of how we lead - we must begin to lead at the next level. For instance, if you are an employee,think and behave like a supervisor. Understanding what and how you do your work at a supervisor level, helps you become a better employee. If you are a Manager, think of what a Sr. Manager or Director would do to lead and inspire? Then take on those behaviors.

Not only does this support you and your organization, it helps you dream - dream of how things can be different. How you can impact your life and your organization. How your work affects those around you. How you can change the face of your every day.

For example, if you are working in Operations as a Supervisor, you know the job, you help support the other people working in Operations, but if you behaved like your Manager, what different behaviors would you need? You might need to look at the larger requirements of the business and discover changes that support broader objectives. You might see efficiencies in the people or the process that your supervisory role might obstruct. You could inspire not only yourself but those around you and truly affect change.

Of course, leading at the next level does not relieve you of current roles and responsibilities - it is a matter of behavior and attitude. Give it a try, and see what changes or improvements you affect with this next lens.

Question to Ponder: Where in your life can you be leading at the next level? What changes might you affect by seeing things through an improved leadership lens?