Looking to Lead?

To Lead or Not To Lead?

You may not believe this, but you're already leading.
 
It doesn't necessarily mean that you are a leader as soon as you become a manager. Or wait, until someone tells you are or when you're given that job because THEY (whoever these gods are) are the only ones that see your potential. That thought right there has held many back.
 
My top five that you are doing this leading thing already:
 
1. Yourself
Can you complete a task? Can you drive yourself to the store? Can you dress yourself? There's obviously a commander to your ship. Leading first begins with the self. What you tell yourself and how you believe in yourself makes a huge difference.
 
2. Mistakes
What, is this really possible? Can leaders make mistakes? Yes, they need to in order to even start and to become better. A leader is always evolving and learning new things...but she also needs to make mistakes. She also needs to admit to her mistakes as well. It was said the Thomas Edison made over 2000 mistakes before getting the light bulb right. Does that shed some light? 
 
3. Working with Others
Giving advice, making arrangements, empathy, sympathy, seeing a solution, etc. These are just a few characteristics and the habits of leading women. When you work with others, these skills will become your tools to getting a project done together. 
 
4. Listening
Listening to your friends, boyfriend, sister, teachers, is how this skill is being honed.

In my experience, when a new leader has taken on a role as an owner, supervisor or a manager they tend to forget to listen and observe their employees. I've seen this entitlement characteristic happening -- "Since I'm the new boss they must obey me." NOT! If you come off that way, your employees will hide information from you, do incomplete work, quit and/or eventually partner together to get you out. I've seen it happen. Your best bet is to partner with them, shadow their work (by working right beside them) and listen, listen to them. They are your teachers until you learn how to work with them.

5. Serving
Have you ever cared for someone? Did you ever give your mother an aspirin when she had a headache? Have you made someone dinner or brought lunch to them? Brought flowers to a sick friend? A gift? Said, thank you?

These are all examples of serving others and showing that you care. These skills need to transpire when you work with your team and customers. Leaders know that this is #1 in any book when guiding a team. You'll complete the goal at hand when you show that you care.  You won't believe it, but they might even start following you.

I love this chart! Take a look for further guidance:

So leggings or no leggings?

Morning closet scenario:

What should I wear?

Omg, how comfortable it would be to wear my leggings to work.

Can I wear them?

Believe me I want to wear them too, but you just have to be smart on how you style them. But, before you run off to wear your favorite leggings to work, make sure that you understand that they are not slacks. Wearing them without having a long shirt or sweater covering your behind, can show way to much of your lady parts. Many are made with cheap fabric. Remember, with those florescent lights check to see if the light doesn't go right through them.

Most companies that I have worked for are leery about leggings.

Not advisable to Wear: This look is very form fitting. Great to wear to meet your girlfriends after work, head to a party or just to lounge at home.

 

Advisable: The look that is seen in the workplace are mostly with longer dress shirts and accessories.

 

 

 

 

Fun looks! So for your first day of work, wear slacks or a skirt. Then check out the work scene to see what your counter parts are wearing before strutting your cool leggings.

Sparkle in Boring Meetings

 
Have you ever attended a boring meeting?
 
Well, like most of us -- YES! Its happened.
 
Don't you even like it when it's scheduled at 2 p.m.
 

Or worse, getting caught by the facilitator dozing off. How embarrassing.
 
Before attending a boring meeting (or the possibility of one), all I can think of is I better stop by a Starbucks during lunch and order a Venti, Carmel Macchiatto with two extra shots of espresso.

So, how do you sparkle in this type of situation: 

1. Strategic Note Taking
I'm an individual that really can't stay still in meetings unless I'm participating. If not, I really start dozing off. As soon as the meeting starts, I draw out three columns in my notebook. Then I add at the top of each column: What I need to know, What I need to do, and What I learned.

Writing notes (in bright colored pens just makes it fun) keeps me fishing for what the main take aways are.  If you're not keeping your mind busy it can drift off.
 
2. Participate
Try to jump in to ask a question or add an idea. Make a point to do so, but not by interrupting. When there's a pause, say, can I ask a question or have you thought about adding...

Your facilitator and/or boss will appreciate how engaged you are. Participating shows leadership. Being outspoken and showing interest keeps you in a special memory file for when a project lead is needed or when a job opening comes up.