What Should You Do When You Discover You're Not the Business Leader You Thought You Were?

Collaborative Post

Many people feel they're ready to step up to the role of business leader and feel like they've been preparing for it all their life. But sometimes the reality doesn't match what's in our heads, but when we realize we're not the leader we believed ourselves to be, it could be incredibly unsettling or disheartening.

The impacts can be felt in many ways, for example, your team's performance has dipped, feedback from colleagues has left you questioning your approach, or your confidence is not there. However, this is a moment that can be the start of something powerful and is key to boosting your business.

Rediscovering new leadership potential is not about looking at what you already have, but also what you can achieve or refine. Let's show you some ways to move forward:

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Of course when we look at an outside opinion, this will identify blind spots but also uncover our leadership strengths that we may not be leveraging. We can use executive coaching services, but also ensure that we structure our reflections to reignite our confidence and gain clarity, which is key to aligning our leadership style with our business goals.

Revisit Your Purpose and Values

When our leadership veers off track it's often because we've drifted from our core purpose. That concept of discovering your why is critical, but you need to ask yourself what you want your leadership to stand for to restore your sense of authenticity. Take the time to articulate your values and ask yourself if your daily actions truly reflect them. Leaders who act consistently with their values are going to inspire deeper trust and engagement from their teams.

Actually Listen to Your Team

A misaligned sense of leadership often shows up in the people meant to be leading. Relationships are key to trust, so if morale is low or your communication feels strained, this is a signal to pause and actually listen. Feedback can often be a formality, but you need to approach this with genuine curiosity because when people feel they are being listened to, they will work with you and they will be more committed.

Our team is the echo chamber in which we should conduct ourselves. When you listen to why something isn't working and truly take it on board, you're going to see the subtle gaps between how others experience your leadership and how you view yourself. What you're seeing in your business personality may not be what you're projecting.

Focus on Emotional Intelligence

Running a business can often be a battle between the head and the heart. You can certainly learn skills and have a wealth of knowledge on how to do things, but long-term leadership success will depend on your emotional intelligence. Empathy, managing your emotions, but also understanding others can help you influence, guide, and inspire those around you. It all begins with practicing self-awareness.

Finally, remember that if you are a leader and view yourself purely as someone different from your team, this is a very risky endeavor, so make sure that you cultivate a network around you, and much like playing a game of chess, recognize that everybody has their skills to make for a better organization; many leaders don't practice being humble enough.

—End of collaborative post—

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