Leadership Development: Doing It On Your Own

Leadership development programs are all the rage in the corporate world. The problem with this is that because of the high demand, the price for participating or instituting such a program via an outsider is often exorbitant. There is, of course, a very simple solution for those who want to avail of training in leadership development: do it on your own! It is actually easier than it sounds. Developing your leadership skills is a part of self-improvement and all you need to do that is the will to do so. The following are five steps on how you can draw up and start your own leadership development plan:

a) Goal Identification – You need to set goals for yourself. This is important for all plans because a goal determines your finish line, where you can say that you've succeeded. It can be as simple as improving you performance or learning valuable skills. The emphasis here is that you are setting your goal posts and that you will not be moving them. This is why it is important to choose achievable and reasonable goals to aim for. There is nothing that discourages more than failure and failing to reach your goals can be devastating to your self-esteem.

b) Skill and Value Assessment – Now that you know what your target goal is, it's time to check if you've got what it takes. You need to sit down and have a moment for self-reflection. Get a pencil and paper and draw up a list of your skills and personality traits. You should try to include both good and bad traits so that you can have a complete picture of yourself. Next, look at your goals and your list and see what can help or hinder you. Mark them down – you'll be needing it in the next phase. 

c) Action Planning – Action planning is where it all comes together. Determine what you need to do to get to your goals. Look at your skills – are you lacking any? Are there any that can help? If you have any negative habits that may hinder you, take them into account. Yoo do not just make nebulous plans here. You have to settle on solid actions that will help you reach your goal – do you need to attend a seminar? What deadlines do you have to meet? Do you need to read more books? Draw up all of these plans and put them in black and white – this way it seems more solid and achievable. 

d) Pre-Implementation Phase – Look at your actions and determine what you need. This is where you tally up the costs in money, time and dedication that you have to put into it. Reschedule your business time and budget your money. This way when it starts you don't have to worry about anything.

e) Action Phase and Post-Action Assessment – Now, you've done all of that, it's time to get it done. The key here is to reach your goal. Do your best and don't falter. Afterwards, when the dust settles, it's time to assess your performance – did you reach your goals? How well did it go? How difficult was it and what lessons will you be taking in to the next time you do this?

There you have it – a simple leadership development plan outline. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. So, what are you waiting for? Go for it! 
