Developing a Leadership Mindset

A leadership mindset is the secret weapon of a prosperous career, and it's something you can improve, even if you're taking that first step on the ladder to success!

A great leader doesn't lose motivation because of a setback. They lead with courage and a mindset that any problem is an opportunity to improve and come back stronger. If you don't feel like a leader yet, that doesn't mean now isn't a perfect time to start learning!

Here is our guide to 3 things young Jamaicans should do to develop a leadership mindset.

1. Hone Your Ambition

To lead a team and make fast decisions, you need to have the ambition to succeed. You also require self-belief to make confident choices.

 To work on these traits, try picking a few of these actions:

·       Be prepared to win. Visualise your victory, and decide that it's achievable.

·       Face your fears. Imagine the worst possible scenario and determine how you'd react. Thinking it through puts fears to rest before they trip you up.

·       Be a positive influence. Encouraging others has a ripple effect, and a leader knows that no man is an island, so they'll always support those around them.

Confidence is sometimes a natural characteristic, and some of us have to work a bit harder to find it. Still, if you put in the work and trust your gut instinct, you're halfway there.

2. Be People-First

Any business or community leader knows that leadership means acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of individuals, using relationships as the concrete that holds the structure together.

We like this definition from Forbes:

"Leadership is the process of social influence, maximising the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal."

Accomplishment isn't based on a fear of failure but on a framework of common goals, shared values and an appetite for growth.  As a young person, you can uncover these proficiencies by looking at opportunities to collaborate, volunteer, and work on your communication abilities.

3. Define Your Vision of Success

We talk a lot about skills and knowledge - but outstanding leadership is as much about personality as talent.

Sky-high profits aren't the only goals you might have; your aspirations might be:

·       Making a positive social impact on your local community.

·       Carving out a niche in a competitive business market.

·       Being financially stable and debt-free.

When you have a picture in your mind of what you want to achieve, you can build towards it - it's impossible to lead a team to an unknown destination, after all.

The Importance of a Leadership Mindset

Harvard Business Review reported last year that organisations worldwide spent an astonishing $356 billion cultivating leadership. Yet, around 75% don't think those programmes are working. That means leadership is a high-value ability in massive demand, yet hard to find.

As a young person who has grasped this crucial lifelong skill, you showcase the self-awareness that will set you up for success.