Defining Oneself as a Leader

February 23, 2022
# min read
Grant Tate

I thought this little passage from my upcoming book, Hand on the Shoulder, might be important to consider in these times.

Defining oneself is a lifetime quest. “Who am I?” does not have one answer, but has a different, evolving answer each day as one learns and develops. Sometimes that evolution is slow, other times, rapid. The slowest are the times when we are drifting, visionless. The rapid are the times when we are exploring, turning every encounter into a learning experience. Ultimately, finding oneself requires deep relationships with others, talking, sharing, having substantive discussions, and learning together.

Every day brings new experiences, new exposures, each of which can be a turning point, depending on the kind of decisions we make at each intersection. Those decisions may seem unimportant at the time but might have profound impact on ourselves and the people around us. Each person makes thousands of decisions every day, most are small automatic choices. Choosing what socks to wear is unlikely to change a person’s life, but other decisions could put us on a significantly different path. Learning to tell the difference is an important skill.

We can learn to recognize decisions to accept or reject a new opportunity as important turning points, but other incidents may not be so clear. Meeting a stranger in an airport or a hotel, for instance. Random events open new doors, shedding new light on a person’s direction. Every new experience or encounter contains the possibility for growth and learning. Attitude is important. Do we recognize new encounters as opportunities or threats? Do we face them with fear or enthusiasm? A “possibilities” attitude leads to growth.

Read the next article in the series:
Share this post
Leadership & Management Effectiveness

Continue Reading Additional Articles

Evolving Leadership: Guiding Your Team Through Growth

Growing a business requires not only robust, scalable systems but also leadership that adapts as well. In the third article of this series, we delve into how leadership roles must evolve as the organization grows, discussing the shift from hands-on management to strategic oversight and the importance of fostering a culture that supports sustainable growth.

Developing Enterprise-Wide Perspective in Senior Leaders: A Coaching Guide for CEOs

To be viewed as promotable, aspiring executives must develop a horizontal perspective that aligns with the organization's broader objectives, demonstrating an understanding of enterprise-level dynamics essential for executive roles.

Employee Engagement Corner

Team leaders must clearly practice leadership that understands what beliefs are being communicated in your team as well as taking the time to examine and act on those beliefs.

Ready to drive results with tailored strategies? Book a strategic consultation to explore how our insights can elevate your organization.

We’re dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. If you have any questions or feedback, contact us directly by phone or email. Your insights are invaluable in refining the solutions we provide and delivering the results you expect.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.