6 Tips to Step Into Leadership
The reason stepping up in a leadership position can feel bold, or even brave, might be more complicated than you think.
Ever heard someone say, “It’s just luck” or the more jovial “Better to be lucky than good”? While it sounds modest, it’s actually what’s referred to as impostor syndrome.
Even when we know we have the skills, experience or motivation, our inner impostor chimes in with self-doubt, inadequacy and fear of being exposed as a “fraud.”
Fear of leadership is a natural response. It stems from fears of failure, lack of control, public scrutiny or judgment.
Add these to the small circles in our industry, and it’s no wonder people put their heads down or stop making eye contact when a leadership opportunity emerges.
1. Embrace Vulnerability
To conquer the fear of leadership, you must acknowledge vulnerability as strength rather than weakness. Accept you don’t have to have all the answers and ask for help or admit when you don’t know something.
Vulnerability fosters connection and trust — essential qualities for good leadership. Yet, here are a few more ways to get out of your own head.
2. Cultivate Self-Confidence
Boosting your self-confidence is crucial to step into leadership. Start by recognizing your strengths, skills and accomplishments. Create a list of past achievements and remind yourself of your skills.
3. Set Realistic Expectations
Understanding leadership involves challenges and setbacks can reduce fear of failure. Instead of striving for perfection, aim for progress and improvement. Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities.
4. Engage with Purpose
If the issue matters enough to you, it likely matters to others in your sphere. Engaging in discussions, advocating for change and participating in the dialogue is essential to shape policy and progress.
5. Self-Awareness and Reflection
Before embarking on a leadership initiative, reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, values and goals. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of effective leadership and a weapon in the fight against self-sabotage. Know your leadership style, communication preferences and how you handle challenges.
6. Lead by Example
Leadership is not about giving orders. It is about setting an example. Demonstrate the qualities you want to see in others. In agriculture, doing often comes more naturally than talking it out. Just getting started is a great way to stop the impostor within.
The perfect place to advocate might be your social platforms. Your actions will speak louder than words and inspire people to follow.
Impostor syndrome is a common experience, and it affects even the most confident and successful people you know (maybe even you). But when it’s time to step into leadership, you can silence that impostor monster with a few simple steps. Your industry and even your operation need your leadership.
