Who Are You as a Leader?
I can’t tell you how often I ask leaders to share who they are—both as humans and as leaders—only to receive an answer that focuses solely on what they do or describes their job title. It's easy, isn't it? It’s safe to stay in the realm of what we do—after all, it's the technical stuff, the daily grind, and the measurable outcomes that define much of our professional existence. But, let's be honest, it’s often boring. Unless you have a job that everyone finds fascinating, most of us don’t! So why do we find it so difficult to share who we are?
Is it because we don’t fully understand ourselves? Or because we don’t feel safe to share our personal side? Maybe it’s because we think who we are isn’t as important to others as what we can deliver.
Knowing Yourself Is Key to Leadership
Here’s the truth: knowing who you are is fundamental to how you lead. Being able to share who you are is groundbreaking when it comes to building trust and connection with others. People follow leaders they trust, and trust stems from authenticity. If you’re always leading from the safe, technical space of what you do, you’re missing an opportunity to connect with people on a deeper level. But it’s not just about trust. Self-awareness—the ability to know and embrace both your strengths and weaknesses—shapes your leadership in ways that no job title or technical expertise ever can.
Nature and Nurture: The Leadership Combo
Understanding yourself as a leader requires reflection on both your nature and nurture.
- Nature refers to the genetic and innate aspects of your personality. These are your temperament, inherent tendencies, and basic personality traits. Whether you’re introverted, extroverted, naturally empathetic, or a big-picture thinker—these traits are part of who you are at your core.
- Nurture, on the other hand, encompasses the values, attitudes, beliefs, strengths, and experiences that shape you over time. These elements are molded by your upbringing, the choices you’ve made, and the experiences you’ve lived. What you’ve learned along the way, the skills you’ve developed, and even the challenges you’ve overcome all contribute to your identity as a leader.
A Roadmap to Understanding Yourself
If you’re not sure how to begin uncovering who you are as a leader, here’s a simple roadmap to guide you:
- Reflect on Your Big Picture
- What’s your life story? What are the big decisions, choices, and turning points that have defined you?
- What motivates you? Who are your role models, and why do they inspire you?
- Get to Know Yourself
- What do you know about your personality and character?
- What are your core values and strengths? What beliefs do you hold that shape your leadership?
- Seek Feedback
- Sometimes, the best way to see yourself clearly is through the eyes of others. Ask those you know and trust for feedback. How do they see your leadership? What do they notice about your style that you might not?
- Look for Patterns
- Once you’ve gathered your thoughts and insights, look for recurring themes. What common threads tie together your personality, character, values, and experiences? These themes will help you uncover who you are and how you show up as a leader.
The Power of Sharing Who You Are
Sharing who you are with your team may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do as a leader. It allows others to connect with you on a human level, not just a professional one. When you lead with authenticity and show up as yourself, you invite others to do the same, fostering trust, empathy, and collaboration.
So, take a step beyond your job title. Share who you are. It might just be the most important leadership move you make.
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