Isolation is not an Effective Leadership Skill
I was going over a list of leadership dimensions the other day and noticed that they all centered on qualities we work at to bring out the best in others. Things like communicating effectively, building trust, developing others, thinking strategically. But if we are required to manage others effectively, then why are we not also given the same consideration in being developed or mentored as better leaders?
One reason is that the person to whom we report to sometimes assumes that our management skills are already ‘good enough’ to do our jobs. On the contrary, we sometimes lack self participation in the exact same things we teach. To our own detriment we are so busy with others we put ourselves on hold in keeping ourselves developed and sharp, because we tell ourselves that we are ‘just good enough’.
We often talk about trust and maximizing relationships to our staff or groups, but do we really feel it or participate in it ourselves? One unsolicited facet of women in managerial or leadership roles is the lack of female peers to whom we can relate to, confide in, and who understands the day in and day out of our busy lives.
Everyone needs someone to bounce ideas off of or can relate laughable moments with. I have seen many women feel crushed under their workload, became depressed, or loose their selves just by the sheer isolation factor alone. All women will feel this at one time or another during their careers. Just remember that there are illuminating solutions for you.
If you are feeling isolated for any reason go out and enlist a coach, join a mastermind group or seek out like minded people who are doing something you like to do, for example golfing, art classes, or a foodie group. Make time for yourself and family. There are many more ways you can grow personally and professionally, stretch your self-confidence and demonstrate courage in yourself and others while managing any feeling of isolation. Just remember, as you teach the leadership dimensions to your staff or others in your life, don’t forget to be demonstrating and developing the same in yourself.
