Leadership Matters: Understand your influence

Identifying your key strengths and weaknesses is step one to working effectively with your team.

If you have ever been a participant in or a fan of sports, you have likely heard the phrase, “There is no ‘I’ in team.” But it is my goal that, by the end of this article, you will understand that there is and always has been an “I” in team.

In a team hierarchy, there is a leader and each member below them; however, this hierarchy does not define the importance of each individual on the team or the importance of the team as a whole. To work together with your team in the most efficient way, you must be able to define and develop your own unique influence as a leader.

To understand your influence, you first need to know and understand yourself. What are your key competencies and strengths? What do you need to work on? By knowing yourself, you can embrace your strengths and weaknesses and remain transparent with your team members. Your weaknesses are only dire if you allow them to drag you and your team down; if you acknowledge them, your team will be able to help provide support where you’re lacking—in a positive way. Sharing your weaknesses can be an endearing trait as a team member and leader.

 

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