Without a doubt, the title of leader can give us a feeling of power. It can increase our confidence. It can help us feel valued and trusted by our organizations. It can also cause a lot of self-doubts. Many people think of “tough leaders” as bosses who work us to the bone, avoid personal relationships or threaten our existence in the organization. But the two of them see “toughness” differently. Because the true “tough” leaders don’t berate employees or manage through fear. They are the leaders who face the most difficult leadership challenges head-on. They are tough leaders.
- Trust your instincts: Someone recognized the potential in your leadership abilities. They noticed the way you relate to others. They saw the way you supported others’ success. Do not let past leaders’ negative lessons blind you from your instincts for helping others. Be yourself and follow your instincts, not the micromanaging leader of your past.
- Accept that you may not know everything: You don’t have to know every answer just because you hold the title. It is acceptable to pause, so you can search for the answers. This builds trust with your employees. It shows that you are open to listening and will not assume you know all the answers.
- Look for more knowledgeable people: You may have heard that smart leaders hire people smarter than themselves. That’s true. Leaders who rely on others to learn more about a subject are respected more. This is how smart leaders lead brilliance.
- Take responsibility: This is perhaps the most difficult thing you can do as a leader. It is your team’s responsibility. Accept that responsibility. Accept the failures. Take responsibility for your decisions. Let employees know that you care about them and won’t make them feel guilty. You must also be open to taking responsibility if you want your team’s successes.
- Deliver hard news: Leaders who are tough need to have difficult conversations occasionally. Even though some news may be difficult to convey, great leaders can have tough conversations with their team.
- Find true competition: Healthy competition is a great way to be tough because it encourages you to do your best and never give up on the pursuit of improvement. Tough leaders know that winning is more rewarding when your opponent challenges you.
- Ask for feedback: It might seem nice to believe everyone will agree with your ideas. But tough leaders don’t want people who only agree with them. They expect their team members to have brilliant ideas. They seek out people who challenge their ideas and will surround themselves with them.
- Accept your weaknesses: It is easy to see faults in others. It is much more difficult to see the faults in ourselves. However, strong leaders are willing to face their flaws and work with others to improve their strengths in every area.
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone: They realize that change is required. They can see the need for a new way of seeing things. They also understand that comfort is another way to say “stagnancy”.
- Give credit and kudos: You might not think of being a champion for appreciation when you think of tough leadership. However, our research, and interviews with leaders from around the world, often shows us that it is one of the hardest things to do. To be vulnerable to another’s greatness and to show gratitude for having them on your team.
A stigma often surrounds being “tough” in leadership. This stigma is sometimes wrong. Sometimes the most difficult things in life are those that require us to deal with some of the “softest” areas. These skills include the ability to deal with our emotions, which is one of the most sensitive areas of humanity.
Charles Milander is a life coach as well as an artist, a pastor, and an entrepreneur. He is an Amazon bestselling author, speaker, and life and business strategist. His podcasts are available on Spotify. Furthermore, he is a Certified International Coach Federation Coach.