Leading Lean

Chapter 3. Leading Self

You must be able to lead yourself before you can lead others. The skills, abilities, and competencies discussed in this chapter—self-development, having a bias toward action, meeting challenges head-on, using common sense to inform decision making, and being persistent and tenacious, to name a few—will provide you with the strategies and insight to do just that. As we discuss them, you’ll find that many of these skills, abilities, and competencies are quite interrelated and difficult to separate from each other or talk about in isolation. Becoming self-led means being a well-rounded person—someone who is emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually, and socially balanced across both their personal and professional dimensions. Let’s take a look at how you can develop the expertise to become a leader that people want to follow.

Keep in mind that change doesn’t happen overnight. This is a journey that will last a lifetime. And don’t beat yourself up or give up when you stray from this path. At any point in time, you can find your way back and continue your journey.

Believing and Trusting in Yourself Through Self-Development

To be a leader that people want to follow, you must offer them the stability and security that comes from truly believing and trusting in yourself. And yes, people are looking for true leaders to believe in and follow, now more than ever.

However, a leader cannot teach what they cannot do. “Do as I say and not as I do” does not ...