The famous quote by Vince Lombardi: “Leaders are made, they are not born,” is an age-old saying we can all live by. Sure, natural-born leaders still exist. However, many people must put forth hard work and effort to develop their leadership skills regularly.
Since most industries slow down when the heat rises, the summer months are an ideal time to work on your personal growth as a leader. While you may excel in some of these critical areas, you must also be willing to work on your shortcomings. That’s why it’s recommended to take longer days as an opportunity to expand your knowledge. Here are some strategies to help you grow as a leader this summer:
Book one-on-one meetings with your team.
To practice better communication, Michael Derme, founder of The Lonely Entrepreneur, says there are a handful of must-haves for practical, empowering leaders. Derme suggests taking the downtime to arrange individual meetings with your team members to understand their passions and how to best manage them.
Communication Skills
One key aspect of growing as a leader is developing strong communication skills. Communication is essential in any relationship, especially for leaders who effectively convey their vision and goals to their team. Communication skills training is an excellent way to improve these skills. These training sessions can take many forms, including workshops, coaching, or online classes. They focus on improving critical communication skills such as active listening, articulating ideas clearly, and managing difficult conversations. By investing in communication skills training, leaders can better motivate their team, build trust, and ultimately achieve their goals.
“Great leaders consider the factors that drive people and the circumstances they are operating in. Every situation requires a different action, and understanding when to apply what solution is an invaluable skill for leaders,” he explains.
Invest in Yourself.
You can’t be an effective leader to others if you don’t invest in yourself first. Do What Makes You Happy – Then Do More Of What Makes You Happy changeyourlifeforever.co.uk. To be at your best, relax, take a vacation, read a good book, and surround yourself with intelligent people to bounce ideas off of. Investing in yourself pays off because when you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to be motivated to work harder.
Volunteer
Employees respect companies and leaders that care for their community -it simply raises morale and increases loyalty to their employer. This summer, try volunteering or arranging a team-building experience; it’ll force you to think outside the box, and at the same time, it will use your expertise for the greater good.
Sam Mizrahi is the president of a private real estate development company in Toronto. Mizrahi is also a strong supporter of charitable organizations and operates on multiple committees and boards for nonprofits.
Mizrahi, who has always made it a point to grow as a leader, says: “I am driven by the imperative to give back, to make a difference and imagine a neighborhood that is inclusive and dynamic for all people.”
Network
Summer Fridays, happy hours, and company picnics are the perfect time for leaders to build their network and improve relationships with team members. Career expert Wendi Weiner explains that summer is ideal for these events because it is generally a more relaxed environment.
Take on a new project.
One way to develop your leadership skills is to take on more responsibility. With things slowing down at the office over the summer, try stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on a new project. It’s the only way you will learn anything new, and doing so will get you noticed by your peers as a go-getter. However, there's another way to learn more. Improve your leadership skills at Training Connection and attend live face-to-face training!
As you work to sharpen your leadership skills this summer, you’ll grow both personally and professionally. Those around you will see the hard work and passion you bring to the office, inspiring them to develop their leadership skills.
