Love Leadership
It might take us out of our comfort zone, but being brave is a critical part of leadership, writes expert Katherine Farnworth
If you ask what leadership means, many people will give many answers. I am currently pursuing another passion of mine – property. I find it an interesting topic and I’m currently educating myself to learn more. Since I am at the start of my property journey, I find myself often in situations that are outside of my comfort zone. This might be discussing the subject with people more experienced than myself, it may be looking at a development that is bigger than anything I have considered before, it might be looking at creative ways to raise the finance in order to pursue an interesting property. All these are new to me, I am the student once again.
How do we feel when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone? Slightly nervous? Apprehensive? Have a fear of embarrassment? Personally, it would be all the above! However, when we do push ourselves, we are often glad we did. Maybe it is a shame we do not do it more often. I am learning with people who are at all different levels, and some are really ‘stepping up’, and being brave, which is encouraging me to (try to) do the same. Interestingly, I never feel others ‘look stupid’ when they do step up, I just admire their determination to give something a go and respect their resolve.
I do feel that a critical part of leadership is being brave, or at least taking a brave step. It might be that one brave step that triggers a continuous growth and a personal development. To achieve a higher level of credibility as a leader, to role model in a way others aspire to or even take action when others might avoid a perceived conflict.
What is your brave step? What is the one thing you have known for a while that you need to do, but have been putting off? If you did take action, what are the potential risks? More importantly, what are the anticipated benefits that might make it all worthwhile? Is it talking to the individual in your team that has been underperforming for a while? Is it to speak up in a forum where it is not encouraged? Is it to push against your line manager who is not role modelling themselves or who is setting unachievable objectives? Maybe you don’t agree with someone on an important matter and just need to consider how to raise the subject?
It is completely normal and natural for us to avoid pushing through with something that might ‘rock the boat’, especially when there might be a short-term consequence for us to face. But at what cost in the long term? Does it affect how we view ourselves, the values we hold dear and that we want to be known for? It is important to ‘pick your battles’ wisely but maybe some things are worth just being a little more brave.
