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As a leader, your company or team is only as strong as your leadership capabilities. If you find yourself stuck at a certain stage, your team will also be held back. Rhythm Systems CEO, Patrick Thean, often says “The fish rots from the head down” - meaning if you look around your business and see things you don’t like, as a leader, you should look first in the mirror to fix it. You must continually level up your leadership skills.
Why Should You Level Up?
To keep pace with your company's growth, you need to grow just as fast, if not faster. Otherwise, you risk becoming irrelevant and may even be replaced, especially if there are external investors involved. This isn’t just theoretical; in 2023, a record number of CEOs left the corner office according to SHRM. Leveling up ensures you are prepared for the next stage of your company's journey and helps prevent stagnation.
Think of it like a video game. When you conquer a challenge, you move on to the next level. The next level is faster, more complex, and features new obstacles. The game becomes more difficult and requires you to adapt quickly. Similarly, in business, as your company grows, you face new and larger challenges that test your skills. It would help if you evolved to meet these challenges effectively.
Make time to invest in your own development as a leader. Identify areas where you can improve and seek opportunities to grow. Investing in your learning and growth isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Healthy Habits to Level Up Your Leadership
To maintain momentum and consistently level up, leaders need to cultivate the right habits. Patrick Thean and AvidXchange CEO Michael Praeger identify 5 key habits for leveling up in their upcoming book The Journey to CEO Success: 7 Practices for High-Growth Leadership.
Here’s a preview of the five key habits to develop:
- Delegate to Level Up: Successful leaders know when and how to delegate tasks to their team members. This frees up your time to focus on strategic decisions and helps your team grow by taking on new responsibilities. Delegating has the additional bonus of growing the skills of your people as well.
- Reflect Regularly to Build Self-Awareness: Take time to pause and assess your actions and decisions. Reflecting regularly helps you understand your strengths and areas for improvement. Establish a weekly habit that hits your schedule, and keep it simple to start. Begin with gratitude, learn from victories and mistakes, and prioritize your goals and commitments.
- Seek and Diffuse Blind Spots: Blind spots can be detrimental to your leadership. Actively seek feedback from trusted sources to identify and address these areas. Learning about your blindspots requires vulnerability, trust, and courage; it also requires someone else who is courageous enough to help you see them. Be open to acknowledging your weaknesses and work to address them. This humility is essential for growth
- Learn to Ask for and Receive Feedback: Feedback is a valuable tool for growth. Cultivate an open mindset to receive feedback and use it constructively to improve your leadership. Cultivate a positive attitude toward feedback, and remember to say "thank you" when receiving it. Reflect on the feedback later to determine how to use it effectively.
- Work with a Coach: A coach can provide objective insights and guidance on your journey. Working with a coach helps you stay accountable and provides support as you navigate challenges. Coaches have patterns of success to share and can shine a light on your blind spots and offer perspective on your challenges that you couldn’t see otherwise. Being a leader can be a lonely job, and having a trusted advisor is incredibly valuable.
What Happens If You Don't Level Up?
Failing to level up can have serious consequences. If you don't grow as a leader, your company may stagnate, limiting its potential. Your team and their departments will also be affected, potentially leading to the departure of your best employees. This can ultimately hinder your company's growth and success.
In his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell discusses the Law of the Lid, which highlights how leadership ability determines the effectiveness and potential of a leader. He shares the story of Dick and Maurice McDonald, whose leadership allowed them to achieve initial success. However, it was only when they brought in Ray Kroc, who had higher leadership ability, that McDonald's became the global franchise we know today.
In Conclusion
Leveling up is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Continuously build habits that promote your development. A coach can offer personalized guidance and support. If you think you don't need a coach, it might be because you haven't found the right one yet.
Leveling up as a leader is not an option; it is mandatory for sustained success. By consistently developing the right habits and taking intentional actions, you can continue to grow alongside your company and lead it to new heights.
Learn more about Leveling Up and the other six uncommon practices for leadership success by ordering your copy of Patrick’s new book!