How do you stand out as a promising leader, a key member of the team? How do you stand out in order to be identified for professional success before others?
With a few consistent actions, you can develop your leadership potential, stand out from the ordinary employee and be noticed as a future leader in front of your peers.
Related: Titles don't make leaders – but these 7 actions do
1. Be a team player.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership's World for Global Leadership Survey, organizations seek leaders who are collaborative, inclusive, and team-oriented. Helping your team manage conflict, build cohesion, and work together will quickly set you apart from team leaders and managers.
2. Lead from where you are.
A leader is not always identified by a title. One of the hardest things to do — but something that will get you noticed — is to lead without being officially in charge. Improved communications and completing difficult tasks get you noticed by team leaders and managers. When it's time for managers to move on to other opportunities, they'll likely think you're the right person for their job first.
3. Be an expert, but learn and master new skills.
Performing well in your current role is a great way to get noticed. After that, look around and identify additional skills and jobs you can master. Stay on top of changes in your career field. Senior managers will notice people who have already demonstrated a willingness and ability to perform at a higher level and who are eager to learn.
4. Be open to feedback and criticism and use it to grow.
Ask your supervisor for corrective feedback. It can be difficult, but it demonstrates that you are not only comfortable with your abilities, but that you take your career development seriously and are willing to learn from mistakes. When you are criticized or make a mistake, own it. Ask your manager to describe what the right approach would have been, so you have a clear expectation of what they would have done.
5. Demonstrate a strong understanding of customer needs.
Aspiring leaders set themselves apart by looking for ways to improve products and streamline processes. Take advantage of every opportunity to communicate with customers to find out their wants and needs. Identifying ways to save money, while improving the customer experience, gets you noticed by senior executives because it also benefits their own careers.
6. Learn to communicate well.
Future leaders learn to speak and write well. They clearly express what needs to be done and why. Speak honestly and accurately – rather than emotionally – about the challenges facing a task or project, then give positive recommendations on how to overcome them.
7. Take action and make recommendations for the good of the organization, not yourself.
Senior leaders want employees who are fearlessly loyal to them and their team. When making recommendations that conflict with what is happening, explain in a positive way how this will benefit the organization and the client. When it's time to take the credit, give it to the whole team. You will earn their loyalty, knowing that your motives are for the good of the organization and not for yourself.
Related: 10 qualities of masterful leaders
