Utilising Leadership In Everyday Life

Leadership is not just about managing teams and achieving goals in the workplace. It is a valuable mindset that can be applied to everyday life, from home to personal relationships to problem-solving. Utilising leadership in these areas can help us become better communicators and decision-makers. 

Here are some ways we can be leaders and inspire others in everyday life:

Communication  

Effective communication is key to becoming an effective leader. 

One of the most useful skills to learn while communicating is active listening. This means really paying attention to what the other person is saying, and trying to understand their point of view. For example, if your friend is telling you about a problem they’re having at work, you might ask questions to get more information and show that you’re interested in what they’re saying. There are a lot of different ways to use active listening, such as repeating people’s words back to them while rephrasing them, asking questions or minimising any distractions. 

Adapting your communication style to your audience is also crucial. There is one way to speak to your boss and it usually would differ from how you might talk to your close friend (although in the recent years a lot of companies have adapted an informal communication style). 

An advice that is usually given when talking about communication is the importance of being aware of nonverbal cues – paying attention to things like body language and facial expressions. However, people are very different from each other and it is better not to make general assumptions unless you know the person you’re talking to quite well. The point is well illustrated in text-based communication, where the Gen X parent is using 🙂 emoji as an neutral or happy expression, meanwhile their Gen Z child is reading it as passive aggressiveness. On a more serious note, it can be discriminatory to assume, for example, that someone who is avoiding eye contact is surely lying – many neurodivergent people do not feel comfortable with extended eye contact, however it is the way they communicate and it must be respected. 

Problem-solving 

When it comes to living our best life, being able to solve problems is key. Leaders are particularly good at breaking down problems and finding practical solutions. This skill can come in handy in all sorts of situations, from fixing a leaky faucet to managing a tricky family situation.

You can learn how to problem solve by following these steps:

• Identify the root cause of the problem. This means taking a step back and looking at the big picture, rather than just focusing on the symptoms. 

 For example, if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you might think the problem is that you have too much on your plate. But after some reflection, you might realize that the real issue is that you’re not setting boundaries or prioritizing your time effectively.

• Brainstorm solutions. This is where leaders shine, as they are often able to come up with creative, outside-the-box solutions that others might not have thought of. 

You could implement the “two-minute rule” and tackle all tasks that take less than two minutes to complete right away, instead of adding them to your to do list, or think of different scenarios and practise saying no to protect your time. 

• Choose the best solution and put it into action. This involves taking a practical approach and being willing to experiment and adjust your approach as needed. 

If the “two-minute rule” is not working, as most of your tasks are long and involve a lot of planning, you could try the Pomodoro method instead, as it would give you longer streches of work (and of course, very important breaks for rest!). 

Leading by example 

When it comes to being a leader, actions really do speak louder than words. Leading by example is all about modelling the behaviour you want to see in others. It’s not just about telling people what to do, but actually showing them how it’s done.

At home, this can mean being organised, punctual, and respectful to your family members. By doing so, you’re showing them what good habits look like and hopefully inspiring them to follow your lead.

But it’s not just about being a good role model, it’s also about being a real person. We all make mistakes and it’s important to be willing to admit when you’re wrong and apologize when necessary. This shows that you’re not perfect, but you’re willing to learn and grow – you are more likely to be trusted in the future. 

On the flip side, it can be really frustrating when people expect you to do something they’re not willing to do themselves. For example, if your partner is always telling you to do household chores and chiding you for leaving a spoon out of the dishwasher for a couple of hours, but never puts in extra effort themselves, it can feel really hypocritical.

So, if you want to be a good leader, don’t just talk the talk, but also walk the walk. Be the person you want others to be and hopefully they’ll follow your lead.

Don’t be afraid to be a leader in your own life. Whether it’s by setting an example for your friends and family, taking charge of a project at work, or motivating yourself to achieve your goals, you can apply your leadership skills to every area of your life. And the more you do it, the more fulfilling your life will be!