As a leader, you’re required to be a lot of different things to different people. You might need to wear the ‘boss’ hat one day, and then the ‘trainer’ hat the next. You may find yourself being pulled in a variety of directions and with that, it can be difficult to be thoughtful or mindful of others in the process. Here are some ways to be a more thoughtful leader.
Be observant.
A thoughtful leader is watching and listening to what’s happening around them. They notice behaviors and patterns and then remember those when interacting with the people closest to them. So, whether it’s at work or at home, stay engaged by looking and listening. Take mental notes about what you see and hear and then be ready to act when you need to. So, stay perceptive: you likely won’t notice a colleague in need unless you’re looking.
Stay curious.
Thoughtful leaders are curious and able to ask questions. They take time to listen to what the answers are, are invested in staying empathetic through the process, and then stay open to what things might need to change. Make curiosity a daily part of your routine by engaging people that may think differently than you. By doing this, you get a glimpse of another perspective and become a more thoughtful, empathetic leader.
Celebrate differences.
Thoughtful leaders know who they are and what their strengths and weaknesses are. But they also take time to get to know others and what their strengths and weaknesses are, too. However, when these people come together, the unique qualities of your team members can be like a beautiful symphony of differences that flow together. Celebrate that you each have differences and find ways to work with them to get the best results. You may need to talk to them differently or manage them in different ways, but when you find out how to do that, you can more accurately utilize their skillsets to thrive.
Being a thoughtful leader requires being intentional. It is a daily reminder to be humble, listen to those around you, and then act accordingly.