Burns Leadership Consulting
0

Insights

Leadership Insights

 
“To add value to others, one must first value others.”
— John Maxwell

How Leaders Develop Their Identity and Find Meaning in Their Role

Why This Matter

Research shows that leadership isn’t just something we practice at work. It’s influenced by our whole life—personal relationships, hobbies, and even how we handle tough times. When we connect all these pieces, our sense of leadership becomes more enduring.

Leadership is about seeing yourself as someone who can guide, inspire, and make a difference. And, of course, it's about actually doing those things and getting results. Developing a sense of identity as a leader is a journey. It’s a process of growth and discovery, closely tied to how we make sense of the experiences in our lives.

What Does It Mean to Develop a Leadership Identity?

Leadership identity is about seeing yourself as a leader and letting that belief shape how you act and think. This development grows through experiences like leading a project, overcoming challenges, or learning from mistakes.

Recent research shows that leadership isn’t just something we practice at work. It’s influenced by our whole life—personal relationships, hobbies, and even how we handle tough times. When we connect all these pieces, our sense of leadership becomes more enduring.

Why Is Finding Meaning Important for Leaders?

Meaning-making is how we interpret what happens to us and figure out why it matters. For leaders, this process is critical because:

  1. It Aligns Actions with Values: Leaders who understand what they stand for make decisions that are more congruent and hopefully align with the leadership opportunities they embark on.

  2. It Helps Navigate Uncertainty: When things are unclear or challenging, finding meaning gives leaders a sense of direction.

  3. It Turns Setbacks into Growth: Leaders who reflect on tough situations can turn them into opportunities to learn and improve.

Research shows that key moments in life, like starting a new role or facing a big challenge, often push leaders to reflect deeply. This reflection not only helps them grow but also strengthens how they see themselves as leaders.

How Can Leaders Grow Both Their Identity and Meaning-Making Skills?

Here are a few ways to continue to build your leader(ship) identity and find more meaning in your role:

  • Think About Your Experiences: Reflect on challenges you’ve faced and what you learned from them.

  • Tell Your Leadership Story: Write down or share with others how you became a leader and what motivates you.

  • Ask for Feedback: Find out how others see your leadership style and use this input to grow.

  • Learn from Different Parts of Life: Think about how lessons from personal experiences or hobbies can make you a better leader.

Here’s a quick exercise to help you reflect on where you are in your leadership journey and what you can work on next.

Step 1: Rate Yourself

For each statement, give yourself a score from 1 (not true at all) to 5 (completely true):

  1. I see myself as a leader.

  2. I know what values guide my decisions.

  3. I actively look for ways to grow as a leader.

  4. I feel confident in my ability to lead others.

  5. I take time to think about what my leadership experiences mean.

  6. I connect lessons from all parts of my life (work, home, hobbies) to how I lead.

  7. I can handle uncertainty and still make decisions that feel right.

  8. I ask others for feedback to improve my leadership.

Step 2: Reflect on Your Score

  • 30-40 points: You have a strong sense of yourself as a leader. Look for ways to challenge yourself further or help mentor others.

  • 20-29 points: You’re growing as a leader. Spend more time reflecting on your experiences and practicing confidence in your decisions.

  • Below 20 points: You’re at the beginning of your leadership journey. Start small—look for opportunities to lead, think about what matters to you, and seek support from others.

Step 3: Take Action

  • If you scored high, take on new challenges and find ways to mentor others.

  • If you’re in the middle, practice telling your leadership story and focus on building confidence.

  • If you’re just starting out, look for small leadership roles, like leading a meeting or organizing a team activity, to build your skills and confidence.

Leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who you are and how you make sense of the world around you. Take time to reflect on your experiences and values. Seek out a mentor or coach, regardless of where you are in the journey, to assist you in developing your leadership capacity.

Daniel Burns