Part 1 of the series focused on both self-compassion and positive self-talk. Part 2 focused on recognizing and welcoming your cheerleading squad. Part 3 focuses on how you can grow as a leader to be a better cheerleader. When I think of my leadership growth – it’s certainly been a journey. Showing up as someone’s cheerleader took work, reflection, and desire to show up differently and honestly to lift up others past where I may get to in my career and life. You might be interested in my leadership toolbox – let me share my top three tips.
Tip 1 – Read up on different leadership approaches and methods
There are many leadership methods and schools of thought. I have chosen to tap into my schooling and read up on many different approaches. Reading and researching have allowed me to pick and choose a method for the situation or person. But, more importantly, it has allowed me to mentor others on how to work in various leadership styles. When working with new or up-and-coming leaders, I can share approaches for them to consider, along with some great books and method recommendations. Consider picking a new method to read up on at least once a year to add to your leadership toolbox.
Tip 2 – Practice leading with influence vs. leading with authority because leadership cheerleaders are not always hierarchical
Not all cheerleaders come from your leadership stack (hierarchy). Many of my greatest cheerleaders come from outside of my direct organizational structure. They’ve harnessed a compelling leadership skill – leading with influence and have influenced my leadership journey in ways I’ve never expected. By showing up as part of my leadership squad and sharing their experiences, knowledge, and insights, I’ve elevated my leadership capabilities and how I give back as a cheerleader to others.
Leading with authority is not what makes a great leadership cheerleader. When you lead others based on the authority your position provides you, people may comply with your asks. Still, they will likely only see you as a cheerleader if they truly respect you and want to follow your leadership style with others.
Tip 3 – Take note of those great leadership cheerleaders in your life and what makes them shine
Have you ever sat and thought of what makes your cheerleading squad unique? I most certainly have and I’ve created my leadership style as a result of them. You need help finding my leadership style in a book or conference session; well, not right now. My blog posts share a component of my style. Why? Because of my cheerleading squad who happily share their tips, tricks, and wisdom in every conversation, mentoring/coaching sessions, and daily interaction where they lead by example. I wish to share the leadership cheerleaders I’ve had over my career, but I hope sharing a few can help you see the potential in your squad.
- My family – leadership influence starts when you are born. Your parents instilled leadership skills that you take forward in your life, as mine certainly did.
- Your friends/co-workers – early in my career, friends and co-workers taught me resiliency, work ethic, and the diversity of education and roles, cheering each other on.
- Your people leaders – one of my first leaders demonstrated an actual cheerleader move that pushed me outside of the organization I was in and drove my career in a direction I could not have foreseen. She helped me see that lifting people so they could rise above me was a leadership quality I most certainly needed to cultivate. Thus, the number of cheerleading squads I have become a part of grows yearly.
Who should you express gratitude for how you show up and shine? Consider:
- Writing down your cheerleading squad list and highlighting the qualities that make them shine.
- See which qualities you possess or must cultivate to be a better cheerleader.
- Develop a plan for growing your cheerleading leadership capabilities to the next level.
- Repeat or update, at least yearly, to ensure you continually grow and lift others up.
Stay tuned for the final installment, Part 4 – Finding and Growing Future Leadership Cheerleaders.
Want to catch-up, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the Leaders as Cheerleaders series.
Follow Penny on LinkedIn or checkout theizzyway.ca for more of her blog posts.
