You might be someone who is highly creative, generates lots of ideas and identifies areas for continuous improvement. At the same time you know that the ultimate indicator of your success as a leader is the results that you achieve. So what barriers might be getting in the way of you achieving success as a leader?
Barrier 1: Not knowing the outcome
If asked, could you clearly articulate what performance results or outcomes you are aiming to deliver for your organisation, function, team or even project? Without absolute clarity on what you are trying to achieve, it will always be a struggle to achieve results. Make time to clearly define the performance results or outcomes that you want to achieve.
Barrier 2: Lacking confidence
Having confidence encourages you to take action and taking action leads to results. Sometimes as a leader you need to have the confidence to follow your gut instinct and take action when everyone else is urging caution. In fact, many of the most successful leaders are those that have been willing to take action when the odds were against them.
Barrier 3: Lack of focus
I sometimes refer to having focus as knowing the 20% of the things that you spend your time and energy on that delivers 80% of your results. When you start to use your time and energies much more effectively, you can start to make a step change in performance and the results you deliver.
Barrier 4: Lack of belief
We all have nagging doubts and fears that a particular course of action might or might not be appropriate. The question to ask yourself is whether you believe that you have the necessary skills and attributes to respond to the stumbling blocks that will without doubt arise.
Barrier 5: Lack of determination
Any long term success in leadership is a marathon not a sprint. Quick results are rarely sustained so you need the drive and determination to keep going long term.
Bottom Line- Successful leadership is as much about mindset and attitude as it is what you do. The question is what positive mindset shifts do you need to make to become a successful leader?
