#TheHappyOrganization Through Engaged Employees, Innovated Processes & Delighted Customers | Kiran Mann, M2M Business Solutions.

Have you ever wondered what sets truly great leaders apart? Is it Steve Jobs’ relentless innovation, Elon Musk’s bold risk-taking or Oprah Winfrey’s deep empathy?

As I’ve grown into my role as a leader, I’ve realized that leadership is deeply personal. It’s not about following a set mold but crafting a style that reflects your values and strengths.

This is especially true for women leaders as we often face unique challenges. By embracing my own uniqueness, I’ve been able to lead in a way that feels authentic and empowering, and I believe other women can do the same.

So let me share the journey I took to embrace my individuality and discover my leadership style.

Embrace Your Superpowers (And Face That Kryptonite!)

A key step in developing my leadership style was understanding both my strengths and fears. Leadership isn’t just about leveraging skills—it’s also about confronting what holds you back.

Recognizing my strengths, like empathy and active listening, empowered me, but acknowledging my fears gave me even more freedom.

Early on, I was intimidated speaking up in assertive environments, but I turned that fear into a chance for growth. By embracing both strengths and fears, I found a balance that allowed me to lead confidently and authentically.

Redefine Leadership: Make It Personal

Too often, leadership is defined in rigid terms—aggressive, highly directive or results-driven to a fault. But I quickly realized that those models didn’t resonate with me.

So I asked myself: How do I define success? I realized that for me, leadership meant creating environments where my team felt empowered to contribute and where collaboration was valued more than command.

I adopted a leadership philosophy that centered around trust and partnership, which naturally aligned with my personality. By reframing leadership to suit my values, I was able to lead authentically and effectively.

Vulnerability = Power: Why Owning Your Flaws Makes You Stronger

Vulnerability is not typically celebrated as a leadership trait, but for me, it has been one of my greatest tools. I remember a pivotal moment in a project where everything was falling apart. Instead of pretending I had all the answers, I opened up to my team, admitting that I didn’t have a perfect solution.

That moment of honesty transformed the dynamics. It allowed others to step up and offer their insights, which led to a better outcome than if I had tried to “fix” everything myself.

For women leaders, vulnerability doesn’t have to be seen as a weakness. When used wisely, it can create trust and a sense of shared ownership within a team.

Confidence Is A Muscle: Flex It Daily

Confidence doesn’t magically appear; it’s something we cultivate and strengthen over time. For women leaders, building self-belief is crucial for leading with conviction and authority.

I dive deeper into practical ways to strengthen self-belief, but one strategy that helped me build confidence the most, and that I have seen helping many other women around me, is regularly reflecting on my achievements, no matter how small. After completing a challenging project, I acknowledged the skills I used and the obstacles I overcame, reinforcing my belief in my abilities and highlighting my growth.

Sharing these reflections with my team has also been beneficial. By openly discussing both successes and lessons learned from failures, I foster a culture of transparency and encouragement. This approach not only strengthens my self-belief but also inspires my team to embrace their strengths.

Reject The Notion Of ‘Work-Life Balance’ And Embrace The Word ‘Juggle’

Is true work-life balance even possible? For years, I chased the idea of perfectly balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Eventually, I realized life and leadership are more fluid.

Sometimes, work takes priority, and other times, personal commitments require focus. Rather than seeing this as a failure, I embraced it as flexibility.

This shift made me a more mindful leader, focusing on what needs my attention most at the moment. For example, I dive deep into work during critical projects, knowing I can later focus on personal matters.

Build Your Tribe: The Power Of Support Networks

How can we navigate the challenges of leadership without feeling overwhelmed? One of the most valuable aspects of developing my leadership style has been the guidance of mentors. Their advice has reassured me that I don’t need to lead in a way that feels unnatural.

For women, who often face added pressures, this support is essential. Mentors help us overcome obstacles while reminding us of the strength of our unique approaches.

Every Leader Has A Plan, But Who Has The Passion?

I remember I was launching a Women Mastermind Program and the launch was set for the first of October. A few months back, we had everything planned and even prepared for the contingencies. But about 10 days before the launch, we were far away from our deadlines. While we were staring at seemingly impossible goals, my passion for the mission fueled my approach. I communicated to my team why the project mattered, connecting it to our larger vision.

That passion was contagious and inspired the best in everyone. The result was amazing. Not only did we launch the program in time, but we also exceeded our expectations in the response we got.

Strategy is important, but I’ve found that passion truly drives a team forward. Enthusiasm can transform even the toughest challenges into opportunities for growth.

Create Your Own Leadership DNA

Leadership isn’t about replicating someone else’s style or following a blueprint. That’s why copying the big leaders most often doesn’t work. By leaning into my authenticity, I’ve discovered a leadership style that feels true to me. It’s a journey of constant self-discovery and growth, but it’s also deeply empowering.

Curate a leadership DNA that is entirely your own—one that reflects your values, strengths and unique experiences. Every woman leader can do the same by embracing her own path and leading from a place of truth. So what will your unique leadership style look like?

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