You don’t have to be a modern-day Abraham Lincoln to be an effective leader within your team or firm, says Vince Molinaro, managing director of the Leadership Solutions Practice with Toronto-based Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions.
“In the working world, we see leadership at play at many levels,” Molinaro says. “It really comes down to people stepping up and tackling the hard stuff.”
While we might think of leadership as a matter of heroes and icons, Molinaro says, being a leader for your team a much more attainable goal.
“I don’t like to think of leadership as this magical thing that only a few people have,” he says. “It’s better to think about [leadership] as creativity. Every human being has that capacity and can choose to hone that craft.”
As a financial advisor, you are probably already a leader of a team. Molinaro offers these tips to help you sharpen your leadership skills:
> Identify your leadership style
Not all leaders are cut from the same cloth, so understanding your leadership style is a crucial first step.
Is your leadership based on an outgoing, charismatic personality or are you more of a quiet and strong figure who leads by example? This self-analysis will help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses.
> Start small
If you are preparing to assume a new leadership role, Molinaro suggests, begin by taking small steps. With leadership come expectations from your team; if you take on too much at first, you may become overwhelmed and fall short of those expectations.
Many financial organizations run charity campaigns, at which they pay close attention to the leadership performance of participants. A charitable event, Molinaro says, may be a good place for you to try your hand at taking a leadership role in a lower-pressure environment.
> Be dynamic
A good leader is often open to making changes on the fly. Survey your team, Molinaro says, to learn your team members’ strengths and weaknesses and respond to problems accordingly.
The ability to “zig” when others “zag” will demonstrate your value as a problem solver. You will become be a complementary “yin to their yang” and improve your perception as a leader over the long haul.
> Play to win
It might be an old sports adage but it holds true here. Given the current economic environment, Molinaro says, many veteran corporate leaders have become risk-averse and motivated by the fear of failure rather than a desire to succeed.
Bringing a fresh, creative perspective to the table, and a winning attitude, Molinaro says, can make the difference between a leader and a follower.