On Leadership, Creating Opportunities, and Energy Management

November 27, 2015

By Cassandra Lee

I recently attended a speed-mentoring event at my organization and noted down some advice shared by senior executives in the public service on professional development and career growth.

5 Key Elements To Be A Strong Leader

Leadership is a relationship you establish with others so that you can provide them with the tools they need to get the job done.

1. Meaningful Communication: Validate your understanding of a message by listening and then taking responsibility.
2. Strong Emotional Intelligence (EQ): This is the most important quality to be successful! Know your strengths/weaknesses and be comfortable with who you are. A good leader shows vulnerability as it helps foster connections (the more genuine you are the more people will open up to you)
3. Ongoing Recognition: Saying thank you goes a long way! Always praise or recognize others when you can to foster a positive work environment.
4. Authentic Leadership: Be humble and let others take charge. Establishing trust is key to building leadership.
5. Real Visibility: Your attitude is key to your success. How you are perceived in the office is strongly correlated with your reputation and credibility. Have a good attitude in your daily interactions.

Seeking and Creating Opportunities

Get out of a rut at work by keeping an open mind and asking for more challenging work. For example, if you want to get into a supervisor role ask your boss for opportunities to manage people.

Always raise your hand and volunteer for opportunities (create opportunities)!

People

If you work with a difficult person, rather than getting mad, think how this person is here to teach you something.

Find a mentor by looking toward people you admire.

Time

Take time to develop your own career and work on your personal growth each day because work will always be there.

We don’t save lives so there is no excuse not to work on yourself!

Don’t think of your time in terms of time management, but rather of energy management. Look at where the majority of your energy is going and prioritize it accordingly.

Growing and Changing

50 years ago there was little change at work and in the organization while now change is frequent and inevitable. There is workplace instability everywhere – stay calm and be flexible.

Your education rarely translates into your job.

Besides academia, the other way of learning is by doing.

Do that thing that makes you uncomfortable!

Cassandra Lee is an analyst at the Public Service Commission of Canada. She is a recent graduate of Carleton University and Algonquin College.