WHY Leadership - Why Lead?

Why Lead? It's a question that sparks curiosity and drives us forward. Let's dig into it together, exploring why taking charge matters and how it can change our path ahead.

Becoming a leader, like everything else in life, is a choice. One that we don't have to make. And, like any decision, there are pros and cons.

Putting yourself out there and taking the decision to lead others requires strength and courage. There will be tough times in the life of any leader. There will be opposition, challenges, set-backs and the occasional bad call. 

So why would anybody want to step up to the mark?

If you've read any of my previous work, you'll know I love to start with a definition. As somebody who values clarity, having clear, concise terminology is crucial in any communication. People regularly engage in discussions using the same words but with different meanings. And that's just face-noise.

It's pointless.

I like a nice, short, snappy definition. Something that makes it easy to take action. That informs the moves we need to make.

I asked Chat GPT to define 'Leadership' and it gave me a long winded, 700 word answer to explain the concept. Neither short nor snappy. 

I asked google to define Leadership. 

'The action of leading a group of people or an organisation'. 

A little better but still lacking in an obvious action. It doesn't inform us how to achieve the goal of 'Leadership'. 

So, after a little bit of thought I settled on the following

'Guiding by example'

Let's break it down - to guide is to assist along the way. So that's pretty actionable. 

And the example part - we simply need to be what we wish to see from others. All of the behaviours and standards that we insist on we must first demonstrate. 

We must first learn to lead ourselves.

And it starts with the basics:

Effective time management

For so many of us, time is our only real resource. Learning how to utilise it, measure it effectively and spend it wisely are crucial for any aspiring leader.

Keeping your word

the foundation of confidence. Keep your own word is the easiest way to build that reputation of integrity and reliability with yourself. 

Being Disciplined

Discipline is what we are left with once those fleeting feelings of motivation evaporate. Discipline allows us to maximise our time & energy and begin to build a foundation of self-respect.

Being Adaptable

For every leader, being able to  adjust strategy and adapt at any given moment is key. In a world of constant change, it’s the adaptable that rise to the surface. 

Being Resilient

Resilience means bouncing back from tough times even stronger. It's about facing challenges with bravery and not letting them stop you. Resilient people turn setbacks into opportunities to learn and grow. They stay positive and keep going, no matter what obstacles come their way.

Emotional Intelligence

Demonstrating empathy, kindness, compassion, and a sense of community.

Fortunately - all of those things are skills. Therefore, learnable. And if it's learnable then it's trainable. 

There are so many different aspects of self leadership that it can be confusing to know exactly what to do. How do you take that first step?

Simple, every time you go to do something, ask yourself the following question.

'If I do/take this action - will I respect myself more or less?'

I've been trialling it over the past few weeks and it's served me well as a guiding compass. I've found it eye-opening to realise just how many activities were taking my self respect. 

I had a realisation about self-leadership during a recent one-on-one meeting with a colleague. I needed to deliver some feedback, a task that I typically approached with directness and little consideration for how it might be received. However, this time, I paused to ask myself the question: "Will I respect myself more or less after taking this direct approach?"

As I reflected, I realised that my usual approach would likely lead to me losing some self-respect. So, I chose a different path. Instead of bluntly delivering the feedback, I took a more empathetic approach. I began by clarifying my colleague's personal goals and listened attentively as they shared their perspective on their current performance. Then, rather than simply pointing out shortcomings, I invited them to brainstorm ideas on how to bridge the gap between where they were and where they wanted to be.

By leading with respect and empathy, I transformed what could have been a negative conversation into a constructive dialogue. My colleague left feeling supported and motivated, rather than criticised. This experience reinforced the power of self-leadership in guiding our actions and fostering positive outcomes in our interactions with others. 

So, here we are at the end of this discussion on leadership. It's not just about taking charge; it's about starting with ourselves. Before we guide others, we must embody the qualities and behaviours we admire.

Self-leadership is about keeping it simple and taking action. It means showing up consistently, keeping our promises, staying motivated even when things get tough, adapting to change, and bouncing back from setbacks. It's also about showing empathy, kindness, and a sense of community.

The great thing about self-leadership? It's a skill we can learn and improve. With each step forward, we become better leaders not only for ourselves but also for those around us.

As we navigate this journey, there's a simple question that can guide us: "Will this action make me respect myself more or less?" This question helps us make mindful choices and recognize areas where we can grow.

By focusing on self-leadership, we become more influential and inspiring to others. Remember, leadership isn't just a role—it's a way of thinking and acting every day. Start by leading yourself, embrace growth, and watch how your leadership positively impacts everyone around you.

Are you ready to take the first step towards becoming a better leader? Start by asking yourself today, 'Will this action make me respect myself more or less?' Let's embark on this journey together and transform our leadership from the inside out.

Lead yourself first, and the rest will follow.

This article was thoughtfully crafted for WHY Hospitality UK by Alex Munford, an experienced hospitality leader dedicated to inspiring and empowering others.