Own your role

An important aspect of leadership is … leading. Maybe you aspired to this particular leadership role, or you may have been strongly encouraged to assume the role, or you might even have been forced into it through circumstance or “I guess I’m the only person who can do this now”.

Regardless of how you got here, now that you are leading, others will follow better once you own your role.

Think of the times when you were not a leader, but were led. Did you prefer the leader to be wishy-washy or decisive? Reluctant or assertive?

This is not necessarily “fake it till you make it”, but is instead ownership of the role. You do not need to be arrogant, but it is important to acknowledge that you are leading so that you can behave like a leader and so that others can be more comfortable following.

What does that mean?

“I am leading this effort, therefore I will take responsibility for making the final decision.”

The blessing and burden of a leader is moving the team forward despite a lack of consensus.

So, now that you are “The Leader”, lead.