Written by: Michelle Schafer, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
This summer, I was super proud of my oldest son. He passed his driving test and now is a G2 licensed driver! In Ontario, this means he can drive without a licensed driver in the car.
(And did better than me at this age, having passed on the first try!) He worked hard for this – taking every opportunity to drive and practice, paying attention during in-car lessons, committing to memory all the rules of the road. And as a new driver, he's needed to do one thing consistently. Be intentional. Be intentional when making turns, to ensure his signal light is on. Be intentional about maintaining speed, frequently checking the speedometer and road signs. Be intentional about parking, to ensure he has enough clearance. Be intentional about observation, making sure he regularly checks his side and rear mirrors. As a new driver, nothing is embodied - yet. As a new leader, you may feel the same. To have to give everything a lot of thought, before doing anything with your team. As a new leader, you need to be intentional in your words, and in your actions and behaviours. New leaders – do you feel you need to think, reflect and plan for the following?
Have challenging conversations – especially delivering performance feedback?
Work with conflict within your team?
Build connection and belonging in team meetings, and other team settings?
Cultivate a culture of psychological safety and trust?
Pivot your communication style to meet the needs of someone else?
With a lot more practice (and years of driving experience under his belt), my son will start to instinctively know what to do when driving, without having to think hard about it.
With a lot more practice (and years of leadership experience under your belt), you will start to instinctively know what to do when leading your team, without having to think hard about it.
Driving habits become embodied over time.
Leadership habits become embodied over time.
Keep practicing – and learning. It will come.
Michelle Schafer, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle Schafer is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and Facilitator specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to achieve career fulfillment. Michelle has personally experienced two significant career transitions through restructuring and has reinvented herself for new careers both times. She deeply understands the physical, emotional and mental impact associated with a job search. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1 in groups and recently was certified in the foundations of team coaching with the Global Team Coaching Institute.
Photo credit:
Adrian Dascal (Unsplash)
