Beyond Tactical Skills: Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership
Cheryle Hays
Need clarity, psychological safety, less burnout, and team success? Leadership Keynote Speaker & Strategist | Keep the Human Edge in AI, Change & Multi-generational Spaces | Engage your team with Courageous Curiosity®.
In my journey as a leadership & business strategist, I frequently see and am reminded that unlocking the full potential of leadership isn't just about acquiring tactical skills; it's about embracing vulnerability. It’s easier to hire marketing, sales, operations, customer relations or finance help than to admit we might need personal leadership development. Leadership is about understanding to learn, choose and align leadership styles, choices, and decisions with company culture, team engagement, and business strategy, and sometimes head knowledge isn’t demonstrated through actions. None of these wonderful outcomes are achievable to the outcomes possible, without an open mindset—an openness to the possibility that we don't know it all, and that's perfectly okay!
Why bring this up? Last week, two enlightening encounters led to a revelation. This week I read an HBR article titled "4 Signs an Executive Isn't Ready for Coaching." Reflecting on these two encounters and this article, I thought about the countless leadership conversations I've had over the years.
Admitting we need help with tactical skills seems far easier than acknowledging a personal failing. Leadership feels deeply personal, and it's a journey filled with uncomfortable truths. One individual I spoke to, a natural leader and optimist, had to realize that intentions alone aren't enough. It's about delivery, goals, relationships, perceptions, and feelings—all those nuances. However, I was hearing, "I know, but..."
The second individual was a small company leader who believed he knew everything about being a good leader, but blamed the workforce for the issues of employee engagement and retention he was experiencing.
As we close out 2023 and look forward to 2024, I hope you will embrace the opportunity to deepen your leadership skills. Even if you understand leadership tactics, it takes courage to assess if you're truly implementing them effectively. None of us are perfect, but becoming a better leader begins with that first step.