Leadership identity and personal leadership
Often we are asked to help the individual leader and management groups UNDERSTAND themselves in the role as a leader, as well as WANTING to take on the leadership role. Quite often there seems to be a lack of time for reflection on an individual's position and their future as a leader.
A young man once asked a correspondence column for leaders what it would take to become a good leader. The answer was somewhat brief but with some truth to it: “For a start you should turn 50…”.
Many leaders including the experienced ones often find it difficult to be the best version of themselves as a leader, because the basic conditions are lacking: Identity as a leader and the personal leadership.
The identity as a leader can not be bestowed upon the person or received – books and lectures are not enough. Only by exploring your inner self in a dialogue with colleagues, consultants, mentors and yourself, you will be able to find your identity as a leader. It is a constant journey, which opens up more and more the further you get and the more experienced you become.
The personal leadership is about being able to lead yourself in the same areas you are leading others. For example, for an individual to find the drive and the meaningfulness to become highly motivated to do what they say they will do. Also, to enable different areas of their personality to cooperate, to see the need for change and renewal, and to succeed with these changes. Lastly, to make it through crisis and to get on top again.
