{"id":12077,"date":"2023-09-01T21:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T21:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/leadership\/5-ways-to-be-a-stand-out-leader-and-excel-in-your-career\/"},"modified":"2023-09-01T21:00:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T21:00:06","slug":"5-ways-to-be-a-stand-out-leader-and-excel-in-your-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=12077","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Be A Stand-Out Leader And Excel In Your Career"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are lots of ways to describe stand-out leaders. It goes without saying that leading with empathy contributes to success for today\u2019s top brass. But what if adding two other unlikely bedfellows to the mix could help you shine from the crowd and build a stronger career. One is fearlessness\u2014the ability to go against the grain and stick your neck out. The other is the ability to harness your anger and use its strength to lead your team without becoming a maniacal jerk.<\/p>\n

5 Tips On How To Be A Fearless Leader<\/h2>\n

\u201cCuriosity and fear can\u2019t co-exist,\u201d\u202fstates Dr. Rebecca Heiss, founder of icueity\u2014a 360-review app and self-awareness tool that gives users continuous, valuable and anonymous feedback from people they trust that confirms or contradicts what they believe to be true about themselves. Heiss says to be an effective leader you must be a fear(less) one, and she ought to know. She\u2019s the author of INSTINCT<\/em> and a stress physiologist and evolutionary biologist who empowers the current\u202fand next generation of leaders to live more\u202ffear(less)\u202flives. <\/em>Heiss shared with me the following five tips on how to establish your \u201cIT\u201d factor and stand-out in a fear(less) career:<\/p>\n

1) Fall off the bicycle. \u201cRemember how thrilling it was to get on a bike for the first time, even though you knew the chances of falling were fairly high?\u201d She asks. \u201cWe got on anyway, took a few falls and have been riding ever since. You need to approach professional opportunities with this same mindset\u2014regardless of how big or little that opportunity might be. Don\u2019t be intimidated to speak up at the next meeting, present a unique idea or offer to take the lead on a project because you haven\u2019t mastered your craft. Keep trying new things and keep falling off the bike. Often the best solutions to complex problems are brought to the table by complete non-experts (and to that end, everyone is a non-expert. If people look like they aren\u2019t falling off of any bikes they probably aren\u2019t trying to ride anything new).\u201d<\/p>\n

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2) Boost others. \u201cOur brains believe the world is a scarce and dangerous place, which is why so often you see intense competition and cutthroat behaviors in the workplace,\u201d the author explains. \u201cThe reality is, we live in a deeply connected, safe and abundant environment where there are plenty of resources for everyone. To have a fearless career, be sure you are constantly praising those around you. It is equally as important that you get that same praise in return, so consider getting a \u2018brag buddy\u2019\u2014someone who lifts you up, celebrates your accomplishments, reminds you of your worth and encourages you. You\u2019ll soon watch the rising tide raise all ships.\u201d<\/p>\n

3) Say no. Heiss states that, \u201cWe often feel obligated to say \u2018yes\u2019 to tasks that distract us from our bigger goals,.\u201d And quoting Warren Buffett, she adds, \u2018The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.\u2019 Don\u2019t be afraid to set and hold boundaries to keep you focused on the tasks and goals that are most important to you. You\u2019ll ultimately be more respected for it and will have less chance of burnout from trying to manage everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

4) Have adventures rather than ordeals. \u201cLean into the stress. Too often, people try to minimize or avoid stressful circumstances but in fact, they’re doing themselves a disservice,\u201d she advises. \u201cWhat research shows is that people who have the most stressful lives also report having the most meaningful and purposeful ones. Rather than trying to avoid stress (which, let\u2019s face it, is unavoidable), try to change your relationship with it so that you see a challenge rather than a threat, and an adventure rather than an ordeal. Your life and career will have more meaning as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n

5) Consider the cost of inaction. \u201cWe’re quite good at predicting and measuring the costs of our actions,\u201d she reminds us. \u201c\u2018I might look foolish. I might fail. I might be rejected.\u2019 Too often what we neglect to measure are the costs of our inactions<\/em>\u2014how us not showing up or asking the question ultimately costs us more than any cost of action. Go big and play all-in. Regrets are far more painful and offer no lessons to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Anger Can Make You A Fearless Leader<\/h2>\n

\u201cIf you want to lead without fear, you must be willing to address those emotions that can make a leader feel, well, not in complete and perfect control of everything happening,\u201d according to Scott K. Edinger. A business growth consultant for clients such as Lenovo, Marriott and Avne, he has an unorthodox approach to successful leadership. Edinger believes there\u2019s a way for strong leaders to use anger effectively. \u201cTo be a fearless leader, at times you’ll need to be an aggressive one,\u201d he told me by email. \u201cWhat prevents you from crossing the line into maniacal is the focus on using the \u2018negative emotion\u2019 as a tool to galvanize rather than intimidate.”<\/p>\n

Edinger,<\/em> the author of <\/em>The Growth Leader: Strategies to Drive the Top and Bottom Lines<\/em>,<\/em> explains that too many leaders over-index on their expressions of anger and frustration without being more thoughtful or strategic about how to use them to advance their goals. \u201cIf a leader is going to make an impact and inspire individuals, teams or even entire companies, they have to be able to make emotional connections,\u201d he says. \u201cThat includes anger and figuring out how to use it productively.\u201d The author poses a few questions leaders can ask to get strategic about their anger and transform it into energy and drive:<\/p>\n