Many quizzes and assessments to determine your leadership style but in reality there is no one size all approach. Different companies, employees, and work situations call for different leadership styles. A combination of leadership strategies in your toolbox is the key to career and leadership success.
I said all that to say that “You Are Enough”. I see so many awesome women social work leaders who doubt themselves or lack confidence in their skills.
You are enough and you have what it takes!
Many new leaders think that they must be strict or micromanage in order to gain respect and boost productivity among their staff. That is usually a recipe for disaster. Pretending to be anything that you are not isn’t a beneficial long-term career strategy. You can be a successful leader just by being you. True success is built on a solid foundation. The foundation is YOU – your current skills, experiences, education, and personality. Focus on your strengths, don’t amplify your weaknesses. Be who you are. Change strategies as needed, but don’t change yourself – unless you’re a horrible human being, which I highly doubt.
Lead with authenticity.
- Whether you came up in the projects or in a penthouse.
- Whether you were educated at an ivy league institution or a community college.
- Whether your first leadership experience was leading your senior high school class or leading your household as a teen mom.
There is power in your personal experience and there is nothing inherently wrong with you and you are no less than if your story includes the projects, community college, or young parenthood. These experiences can be fuel, they do not have to be deficits.
I’ve been leading since I was a young child. I was a teacher helper in my early elementary school days. I was often a classroom leader. I deserve an award for my awesome (early) babysitting skills. I was teaching and tutoring and speaking up in class long before I understand it was a part of my leadership training ground. Don’t disqualify your training ground. Recognize the value in the experiences – communication, determination, problem-solving, innovation, resource development – all translate nicely into the workplace.
You Are Enough!
Nicki Sanders, MSW, ushers high-performing women of color in mid-level social work and human services leadership through promotion to senior leadership. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams. She is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. Nicki is a lover of cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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