Connect with us

Success Advice

3 Simple Steps to Help You Embrace Your Inner Leader

Published

on

man leadership standing in leadership speaking position
Midjourney

When you think of an effective leader, what image comes to mind? It’s easy to come up with a few names off the top of your head. For me, I immediately think of Steve Jobs, Henry Ford and Oprah. What you’ll see is that my names have a theme.

They were all excellent innovators. They believed in their vision and they were always aware that the people who followed them were important to their success. You may come up with a different list. Leaders with different attitudes and approaches may inspire you.

In fact, an article published by Harvard Business Review titled “The Eight Archetypes of Leadership” by Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, discusses the different ways people embrace their leadership style. As such, different people embrace different leadership styles and techniques that suit their strengths, but then build on those strengths to develop a well-rounded approach to leadership.

Here are three simple steps you can take today to develop a foundation of strong leadership:

1. Find the right inspiration

Developing your leadership style is tricky and takes some practice. The first step is to ask yourself what you think it takes to be a leader. How does a leader behave? How is a leader perceived in the workplace? What is the image you need to create (or change) in order to be seen as an authentic leader? Take a look at what you think a leader should be and decide if your perspective needs to be refreshed.

Who inspires you? It could be anyone, from a colleague you work with everyday, to someone you look up to as a mentor, to a highly successful businessperson who works in the same industry. Make note of the attributes that stand out to you. Is this person known for his creativity in leadership, or is she known for her ability drive a turnaround story? Find what resonates with you on a deep level and use it as inspiration for your own leadership approach.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

2. Evaluate your approach

Now, take a look at your current leadership approach. We all have to start somewhere, so even if you are only leading a team, as opposed to a division, small business or major corporation, ask yourself how your approach to leadership aligns with what is most important to you. Does it feel inauthentic, forced or unnatural? Are you behaving the way you think a leader should behave, or are you just following the example of other people who don’t inspire you?

For example, I worked with a small-business owner a few years ago that had a very intimidating leadership style. It was her way or the highway, and while she had notable numbers to show for her efforts – steady growth year over year, a sustainable revenue stream, and creative new products entering the market, absolutely no one wanted to work with her to realize her vision.

She believed leadership meant driving projects forward ruthlessly because that’s all she knew from her work in consulting. While that approach may have helped her in the short-term, it didn’t translate into long-term growth for her business, which is what she really wanted.

 

3. Embrace your inner leader

Ultimately, you want to find alignment between what you think makes a great leader and how you are currently behaving. From there, take some time to identify your leadership strengths to build a foundation for your skills and then work to add skills that will give you a well-rounded leadership approach.

In my client’s case, productivity was her strength and she could lead projects and ideas into completion with ease, but when it cut into her ability to grow a great team, she realized that she was sacrificing the kind of numbers and growth she really wanted for her business. As Kets de Vries notes, this kind of leadership style may work in certain situations for the short-term but it can ruin morale and doesn’t help build a company or business that lasts.

For my client, she found success once she identified her leadership style, developed that strength in specific areas, and then worked to build on that foundation to become a well-rounded business leader.  She was able to reconnect with her ability to inspire her employees and discovered a new level of success, both personally and professionally.

The end result should always be about building the foundation for healthy and strong relationships with the people around you. That includes those who work with you, those who buy from you and those who invest in your ideas.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs

What leadership advice do you have? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Christina Holloway is a management and strategy consultant, speaker, and leadership coach. She brings 20+ years experience working with visionary clients who want to restart their careers and pursue new goals. As the founder of a small independent consulting company, she spent the last 15 years working with large multi-national businesses, and now leverages that experience to educate, inspire and empower female executives and emerging leaders to develop their skills in effective leadership. To learn more about Christina's work, click here.

Advertisement
2 Comments

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

Published

on

link in bio best practices
Image Credit: Midjourney

Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

Continue Reading

Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Published

on

how to build self-confidence through action
Image Credit: Midjourney

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

Continue Reading

Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Published

on

Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

Continue Reading

Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

Published

on

leadership tips for new CEO
Image Credit: Midjourney

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending