As 2015 rolls right around the corner, it’s time to start with a clean slate. Do something new, become that leader you’ve always wanted to be. One of my core philosophies has always been, “Don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness.” That means, jump out of your comfort zone and just do that extraordinary thing you were made for.
It’s something you can do whether you’re in high school, college, or a Fortune 500 dream job. Here are 10 ways to change and become a leader in the new year
Be a role model.
Lead how you want others to lead. Give respect, be humble, but always inspire others to push their boundaries. Act like the leader you think you can be.
Push!
Are you comfortable? That’s when failure starts. Leave that comfort zone. As, I mentioned in a previous post, “The wealthiest place on the planet is the graveyard. Because in the graveyard we will find inventions that we never ever were exposed to. Ideas, dreams, that never became reality. Hopes and aspirations that were never acted upon.” Keep your dreams, ideas, and aspirations alive while you’re still on this planet – achieving them one day at time.
Innovate.
You’re creative. But, how often do you exercise that creativity? Start putting it to use. Come up with ideas that also motivate and inspire. Think of what you could create that would be the next big thing, and then work on it! And if it doesn’t work, keep trying till you’ve found an idea that works.
Be adaptable.
Charles Darwin said it best, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” Those who succeed the most don’t succeed because of luck, it’s because they adapt to the world around them. Don’t get comfortable. Stay on your toes, and be ready to change in order to move forward.
Ask questions.
Be a curious person. Always ask. A man is judged more by what he can question than what he can answer.
Listen!
Leaders become better leaders by addressing the issues of their peers. Listen to see what they need. It’s a hard skill to master, but it’s a golden trait many, who look up to you, will love.
Support!
There is no such thing as superman. You can’t do everything. In order to accomplish something, it’s always about support and a team concerted effort. This isn’t the easiest part, but you must always be there for your team. People love support, and they need it. Just like you do.
Create more leaders.
Don’t try to be the only one. Mentor others and show others the way. Let others make mistakes. Let them get their hands dirty. And, let them learn. Coach them to be the rockstars you want them to be.
Be you!
Don’t try to be someone else. People look up to you for a reason, so act like yourself. Imitation is easy to decipher. And, nobody follows imitation. Don’t act like you own the world, act like you don’t care who does.
Know your purpose.
If you’re leading, you should know why you’re leading; why you see yourself as a leader; why people should follow you. Know the answers to these and your self-esteem and confidence will embrace your greatest ambitions.
As someone once said, “There are three types of people in this world. Those who make things happen. Those who watch things happen. And, those who wonder what happened.”