Whether you’ve been promoted to a leadership position, are considering a move into leadership, or were forced to become a leader because no one else would step up, there are certain things to consider before stepping into a leadership role. As you read through this post, think about where you were in your leadership journey when you began to think through these questions.
The more you consider, the more you think through, the more you wrap your mind around these questions, the better leader you’ll become. These are questions you’ll have to answer at some point.
5 Things To Consider Before Choosing To Lead
What do I have to offer?
Before stepping into a leadership position, consider what you have to offer. You might realize you have nothing to offer (and that’s okay). Or, you might realize you have more to offer than you thought.
Some of the things you might have to offer are:
- A history of wise decisions
- Several people are following you
- A willingness to do what it takes
- A willingness to learn
Leaders have to have something to offer their people. Learn what you have to offer.
How much leadership pain am I willing to endure?
I interviewed Samuel Chand years ago for the Answers From Leadership Podcast. He had recently released a book titled “Leadership Pain.” He describes the pain leaders will have to endure.
Leaders, your time won’t be without pain. In fact, there will probably be lots of pain as you lead over the years. You’ll face betrayals, lies, and defeat. Those all hurt. They also teach.
You have to decide how much pain you’re willing to endure.
Is anyone currently following me?
Many people want to step up and lead because of the prestige of the title. Taking on the title of leader or manager or some form of respectable title means people are looking to you.
But are they?
Sometimes, we step into a leadership position for the title alone, not because we’re actually leading others. Leaders have to have someone following behind them.
Make sure you have people to lead before you lead.
How will I continue to learn and grow so I can influence others?
Once you’re in a leadership position, you can’t stop growing. I’ve seen this happen too many times to count. Someone is promoted and they feel they’ve reached the pinnacle of their career. They don’t need to continue to grow.
What a lie!
Don’t believe the lie that you’ve learned, grown, and become the leader you needed to be. There’s always something else to learn, more to grow, and become.
Great leaders never stop learning.
What do I hope to accomplish through my leadership?
Do you have a vision for your leadership? Do you know what you want to accomplish through it?
Great leaders figure out pretty quickly what they want to accomplish. They set a vision to reach and strive for. They know their work has to be for a greater purpose.
Think about what you want to accomplish as a leader. It could be:
- Increasing the profits of the organization you’re working for
- Influencing 500 new leaders
- Impacting 10,000 lives
Have a vision of what you want to accomplish. Then tackle it.
