This is post 2 of 5 in a series that reveals my top tips to help you prepare yourself for a promotion before the opening is even announced.
Last week, we discussed how to Embody Leadership, and why making decisions and taking action from the mindset of a leader is so important.
If you missed it, I encourage you to read it.
Before we dive into Tip 2, let’s check in on the intention you set last week. Is it still aligned with your goals? Have you been taking action from where you want to be, rather than where you currently are?
Intention is the wick that holds the flame of your commitment to your goal. It keeps the fire burning in spite of your temporary moments of doubt and helps you stay focused. Don’t disregard this crucial piece of the puzzle.
Action Step 2 – Own Your Actions
One of the telltale cues of a natural leader is her ability to take responsibility for her own actions.
I call this Owning Your Actions.
It’s easy to own your actions when you’ve done something helpful, productive, or praiseworthy. That’s a no-brainer.
But what about those times when you miss a key deadline? Or rudely raise your voice to a colleague; or invest in a decision that turns out to be the wrong one?
These are just a sampling of situations when owning your actions is painful.
Most of the time, we’re afraid to own up to our misses because we’re afraid of the repercussions. Because the truth is, in the corporate world you’re only as good as the last thing you did right, right?
While that may or may not be true, I invite you to reconsider what it means to claim ownership of the actions you take — both good and bad. I believe real leaders take responsibility for what they do. They admit when they’re wrong or when they dropped the ball.
Think back to last week’s post. You named a person you admire, remember? Do they own their actions or do they push blame off on somebody else? Do they do whatever needs to be done to remedy the situation, or do they hide out and ignore the damage they leave in their wake?
What I learned from my days working in corporate and coaching corporate clients in leadership is that owning your actions is key to earning respect and loyalty. People who own their actions don’t have time for excuses because they are too busy taking action to mend their mistakes.
If you truly want to position yourself for the next promotion, I strongly encourage you to practice taking responsibility. Stop blaming others and outside circumstances and look in the mirror.
A true leader owns up to their actions (or inactions) and the role they play in situations, and they are the first to offer a solution for how to fix it.
I don’t think I can stress this enough: Leadership begins with YOU.
Don’t miss the third installment in the “How to Position Yourself for Promotion” series, where we explore how Seeking Opportunities can be a game changer.
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Do you feel inspired to own your actions in your own life? Would you like some support and accountability? We should schedule a time to talk. Give us a call at (888) 467-6127.
