Transitioning to a self-leadership style after being led for years can be a bit jarring for some, as self-leadership entails having a developed sense of who you are, what you do and how well you communicate. In order to be an effective leader to others, you need to be able to know and lead yourself. Know what motivates you, what inspires, what works and what doesn’t.
A broader definition of self-leadership would be, “the process by which you influence yourself to achieve your objectives.”
It can be difficult to lead others if someone doesn’t know how to lead themselves properly. A self-leader is one who is able to closely look at long-held beliefs they believed about themselves, and realize they are hindering their progress. Having the mind-set, “I’m not organized”, can thwart and create an assumed constraint, and can prevent one from fully succeeding in that area.
Cultivating emotional intelligence is extremely important for self-leadership. It is crucial to see yourself and how you interact with others, and know how you are perceived. Learn to manage your emotions. Learn patience if you know you struggle with it. Know when to take a step back and take a breath and when you need to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically.
Effective self-leaders are able to avoid self-defeating beliefs, leverage their points of power, and collaborate with others–resulting in goal achievement, independence, and the ability to lead others more effectively.
