Getting Unstuck
Has your growth stalled? Use this tool to become unstuck and reignite your trajectory. | Many of my recent calls have centered around stunted growth – from both the concerned senior leaders experiencing the stall as well as the frustrated executives trying to lead them.
In my last article, I discouraged you from chasing leadership characteristics and encouraged you to instead unlock your unique superpowers through your personal strengths. I will reiterate here that the way to become a great leader is working on your personal growth. So, what should you do when your personal growth outpaces your professional growth?
If you are experiencing a stall in your title, compensation, scope, or even your reputation, I would recommend using the Steps of Leadership tool. This past year I developed the Steps of Leadership tool to help leaders like you define and evaluate where they are in their professional development journey. Note that the Steps of Leadership tool applies to all leadership roles within collaborative teams, whether you are a first-time manager or a CEO.
Chances are, if your growth has stalled, it’s likely because you are stuck in one of these leadership development phases.
For example, there is a significant divide between levels 3 and 4, where many leaders struggle to become unstuck. This transition is critical as it marks the shift from focusing on “me” to focusing on “we.”
At this point, your success is no longer measured solely by your personal expertise and output, but rather by your team's output, enjoyment, and growth.
Here’s a deeper look at the 6 leadership evolution steps, including what it may look like when you are stuck, and tips on how to become unstuck.
Step 1: Proficiency. You focus fully on developing your skills and establishing yourself as a reliable member of a team.
Being stuck here may look like: You are well-liked by your team. They come to you for help often but don’t always take you seriously when you assert yourself.
Tip to become ‘unstuck’: Create boundaries in how you approach relationships within the team. Reposition yourself as less of a friend and more as a valued resource and leader.
Step 2: Responsibility. Your proficiency is relied upon, and you are entrusted with ownership to ensure the business is kept intact.
Being stuck here looks like: You work endless hours to secure success but don’t feel fairly compensated for your effort.
Tip to become ‘unstuck’: Understand what Key Performance Indicators you impact (or introduce a new one) and pitch an incentive plan for yourself.
Step 3: Accountability. Goals and metrics are tied to your responsibilities to measure, track, and reward your success.
Being stuck here looks like: You are a top contributor and well-compensated but are overlooked for growth opportunities because unplugging you from your position means the business will suffer.
Tip to become ‘unstuck’: Build a succession plan and create redundancy in the business. Remove yourself from select projects and activities by delegating to others and recognize the team for succeeding in your absence.
Step 4: Managing Others. You reach goals through others. You oversee a team and offer course corrections when needed.
Being stuck here looks like: You are policing the team and likely correcting the same issue(s) constantly. Your expertise is keeping the team on track.
Tip to become ‘unstuck’: Release control and share your methods and tricks with others – move away from being the hero saving the day.
Step 5: Teaching. You use a proactive, people-centric approach to develop and leverage the strengths of your team.
Being stuck here looks like: You have an engaged team and a successful operation that you have built the framework for and continue to manage it to your expectations.
Tip to become ‘unstuck’: Let go of your ego and allow your team to create and own their leadership styles, their successes, and their paths. Move into being a pillar of support.
Step 6: Leading. True leadership. You are on a mission to advocate for the growth of your team. Your focus goes beyond uncovering the strengths of your team, rather inspiring them to invest and lean into those strengths while giving guidance when they do not. This level of leadership is transcendental and recognizes that the individual successes of your team members are a testament to your ability to lead.
YSA Key Recommendations:
Leadership expectations change over time: The higher you grow, the less it is about you.
Use the Steps of Leadership tool to evaluate where you and your team are within your leadership development journeys. You can access a printable version of these steps here.
Identify if you are stuck and build a roadmap on how to move forward.
Call upon your resources for support in this process.
