Goals for the Future

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the development of leadership skills is an essentially never ending process. It is a crucial skill that I have always struggled with. So though I feel I have made many personal gains both through the learning and application of new skills and strategies (in outdoor ed and at work), a plan for the future will continue this process. In order for me to feel like I really achieved something and have developed as a leader I would like to....

By the end of the year, be able to take on a role within a group other than just as a support. As a shyer, more quiet person I've often found it difficult to instigate conversations and initiate decision making. By working at taking a more active role in group discussions I think I will be able to help minimize confusion within the group and be a more solid part of the group versus a bystander/supervisor.

Not be as worried about embarrassing  myself. Though it might sound kind of funny, I thought what Tiffany Hodgson had to say about leadership in the outdoors had some real merit. Showing vulnerability may be uncomfortable, but it allows a group to trust in their leader more and subsequently work as a cohesive unit more effectively. A more cohesive group will communicate better, trust in each other more and this will all help minimize risk.

Have more confidence in my abilities as a leader. Without the confidence that you can do something, you have no conviction, therefore no one else will believe you can do it either. This applies to leadership as much as anything else. By displaying a certain confidence in oneself, it allows others to have confidence in you and your abilities, ultimately leading to more trust within the group and a solid respect for the leader. This sets the tone for all future interactions and allows a person to lead a group without having to take on the role of "superior".