3 Tips to Develop Your Leadership Style and Lead with Influence

1. Self-awareness and Reflection: Developing your leadership style starts with self-awareness. Take time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, values and beliefs – write them down so you can see them clearly in front of you. Understand how your actions and decisions impact others and how you can leverage your strengths to inspire and motivate your team. It’s really important to continuously seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and team members to gain insights into areas for improvement and growth.

2. Continuous Learning and Skill Development: Leadership is a lifelong journey of learning and growth at all stages of your career journey. Invest in your personal and professional development by seeking out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Attend leadership workshops, summits, seminars and conferences. Business in Heels hosts Leadership Summits and Small Business Summits annually for professional development. Develop skills such as effective communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making and conflict resolution. These skills are crucial for leading with influence in any business, large or small.

3. Build Relationships and Foster Collaboration: Leadership is not just about authority; it’s about building strong relationships and fostering collaboration. Cultivate a culture of trust, respect and open communication within your team. Encourage diverse perspectives and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, empathy and fairness. Collaborate with others, both within and outside your business/organisation to expand your network, gain insights, and leverage collective intelligence. Networking is key to building relationships and collaborations, if this is something you’d like to develop more, check out the free online course here

Remember, leadership is a dynamic process, and your style will evolve over time. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, continuous learning and relationship-building to become an influential and effective leader!