Centred Content
Dear Joanna
I had my very first ever performance review with my manager yesterday and received excellent feedback in my role as a file clerk. One of the areas that she recommended that I can grow is my leadership skills. I am a neuro-diverse employee who is satisfied with my current job – I’m hoping to work in this role forever! Please can you explain what this means as I am not interested in managing people or a manager position.
Signed: Leadership in Training
Dear LIT. According to the consulting firm’s blog https://www.lindauerglobal.com/insight/what-makes-a-true-leader/, true leadership comprises of traits and characteristics that you can learn and help you with keeping your job for the long run as well as make it more meaningful. It’s not always meant to supervise a team. There are different leadership styles. I will also refer to https://www.iese.edu/standout/true-leader-real-leadership/ for additional suggestions:
1. Knowing yourself. Being very aware of your strengths, limitations and values is an important trait of a true leader. And being open to learning and growing as well as improving is another key quality of a leader.
2. Helping others. Working on a team, working with others and being supportive of your co-workers and managers to achieve your common goals is another important leadership trait. Being available to assist your colleagues if they are struggling with a task, or cover for them when they are on vacation are other great leadership traits.
3. Effectively Communicate. Being an active listener is an important part of being a leader – not just talking to others. True leaders listen without interrupting or judging what others have to say. They try to understand and respect where the person is coming from.
4. Taking initiative. This is a key trait of a true leader. To be able to learn the tasks and then continue performing them without being asked is so important. And reporting what you have accomplished (again without being asked) to your supervisor will win a lot of leadership points and part of being independent and self-sufficient!
5. Being humble. A true leader is always opened to learning from the mistakes you have made and from others who know more. Being able to be open with your supervisor and/or colleague when you have made a mistake in advance is a key quality that all employers value.
6. Being responsible. A dedicated employee who takes pride in their work and shows up on time, meets the deadlines and gives advance notice to team when away on vacation in order to arrange coverage is a sign of a true leader.
To submit your challenges, concerns, questions and comments regarding this column and/or your job search IN CONFIDENCE, please email Joanna Samuels, Employment Resource Supervisor, Reena – jsamuels@reena.org