What do you do if your late career experience and skills aren't translating into effective leadership?
You've reached the later stages of your career, and it's a time of reflection. You've accumulated a wealth of experience and honed your skills, but somehow, they aren't translating into the effective leadership you envisioned. Leadership development coaching can help bridge the gap between where you are and where you aspire to be. It's about leveraging your experience in a way that resonates with your team and aligns with the current leadership landscape.
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Luis Fortunato de Abreu Branco, PMP®, PMI-ACP®20 X🏆Top of Voice in Strategy, Leadership & Management | CEO @ Business Insight | PMI ATP Trainer | Lean & Operations…
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Holly Woods PhDGuiding Courageous Leaders to Navigate our Uncertain Future with Love, Not Fear. Reclaim the Power of your Purpose.…
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Smita Das Jain1400+ Coaching Hours|250+ Clients|9 countries|I empower leaders to get better at what they do|Executive Coach|Personal…
Take a step back and conduct a candid self-assessment. It's possible that the leadership style that served you earlier in your career needs an update. The workforce has evolved, and with it, the expectations of leaders. Your task is to identify the areas where your approach may be outdated and to pinpoint the skills that require refinement or development. This introspection is a critical first step in realigning your leadership style with the needs of your team and organization.
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Holly Woods PhD
Guiding Courageous Leaders to Navigate our Uncertain Future with Love, Not Fear. Reclaim the Power of your Purpose. Founder | Master Integral Coach | Executive Coach | Futurist | Psychedelic Mentor
As the world has changed, leadership styles have adapted to a more inclusive approach, e.g. listening to others' perspectives or worldviews, seeking input, horizontal management and distributive leadership. If you've managed people for awhile, it's possible your management/ leadership style is outmoded. Here are two reflection questions to determine if you need an upgrade: Where do you consistently face difficulties with your peers or direct reports? If you can pinpoint overlap in those challenges, it's usually a sign that your style or patterns may be affecting relational dynamics. Where do you feel uncomfortable, even if feedback doesn't indicate a problem? Perhaps you can expand your skillsets in areas that make you uncomfortable.
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Kees van Middendorp PCC
Executive, Leadership, Team & Business Coaching. Organization Change, Development, and culture.
When making use of assessments for this cause try to use a 360 assessment this gives a lot of information about how you are perceived as a leader. And you can easily identify on what leadership skills you can gain the most benefit. Next to your own qualities, is being a good leader also dependent on the perception of the people around you
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Kam Gupta
Executive/Leadership Coach and Management Consultant
Hmmm. Thats a very good question. Actually the answer lies within the person who acknowledges that his or her leadership is not being fully effective. That opens the person to a lot of opportunities. From a coaching perspective, the person most likely alleady knows which parts of the leadership are not being effective and why? Another step is the understanding of one’s own strengths, remembering that there are no weaknesses. More on that subject some other time. There is a strengths and relevance matrix that that I use for emerging, existing, and retuning leaders. Leaders in their late career are very knowledgeable, highly skilled, and wise like none other. Focusing on the strengths brings relevance to the leadership effectiveness.
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Girish Trehan
QMS Lead Auditor, Onsite/ Remote Audits, Risk Management coach, Adjunct Professor-LSS and Quality; Consultant, ASQ CQE CSSGB. Gold Medals for "Best Student of Technology"& "Best All-Rounder"
My 2 cents. I agree with the premise “nothing succeeds as success”. Strengths matter with appropriate use of your knowledge domain.
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Vanderley Espirandelli
Mentoria e Consultoria de Perfil do LinkedIn | Planejamento e Desenvolvimento | Gestão de Pessoas | LinkedIn | LinkedIn Trainer |
Evolução contínua é a chave para uma liderança eficaz. À medida que avançamos em nossas carreira, é natural que o estilo de liderança que nos serviu no início precise de ajustes e atualizações. Temos que focar no autoconhecimento e adaptação, aprendendo novos modelos, investindo em comunicação não violenta, aumentando nossa flexibilidade e agilidade, sempre focando no desenvolvimento de novas habilidades.
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Carlos Borges
I support enterpreneurs, board members and CxOs to transform their leadership through the Executive Coach (ICF)
It´s important to be humble and honest to yourself and then ask help with a certified Coach to help you on your interior journey about self-awareness and discoveries.
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Vanessa Alves Ruiz, ACC
Cultivating Consciousness 🌱 ICF Life, Executive & Team Coach | Occupational Health & Safety Coach | Soft Skills Trainer | Group Facilitator
Let's be honest, taking a truly honest look at ourselves can be daunting. brilliant professionals who crush their individual goals but struggle to translate that expertise into inspiring leadership. Here's the secret weapon: honest self-assessment isn't about self-flagellation, it's about unleashing your leadership superpowers (you have them!) and pinpointing areas for growth. Here's a quick exercise I love: "Leadership Styles: Friend or Foe?" We all have a natural style (directive, participative, etc.), but sometimes it holds us back. Research different styles and identify yours. Now, reflect on a recent challenge – did your go-to style fully leverage your team's strengths? By uncovering our "kryptonite", we become more versatile leaders.
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Dr Toomas Särev
Cardiologist • Executive Coach Adviser & Team Coach • Red Team Instructor • Emotional Intelligence Practitioner • Leadership Development • H2H • Humanising Healthcare Leadership • England • UK • EMEA • North America
Understanding others begins with clarity about oneself. Achieving this demands open-mindedness. Distinguishing between what you seek and what you perceive is crucial. Recognition is impossible without knowing what to search for. Yet, uncovering personal blind spots proves challenging. Coaching from this standpoint could be profoundly impactful in dispelling confusion.
Engage with peers, subordinates, and mentors to gather feedback about your leadership. This can be an enlightening process, revealing blind spots and areas for improvement that you might not have recognized on your own. Remember, feedback is not just about identifying weaknesses; it's also about recognizing the strengths you can build upon. Use this input as a guide to tailor your leadership development journey.
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Kees van Middendorp PCC
Executive, Leadership, Team & Business Coaching. Organization Change, Development, and culture.
Feedback is great. Important is to make use of it in the right way. There are several methods you can use, for example the 4G method. Al of them have a comparable approach. Step 1: name the unwanted behaviour as a fact you actually have observed. Step 2: give back how this made you feel (emotion) Step 3: explain what would work better for you. Step 4: ask how you can support in changing the unwanted behaviour into the better option
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Vanderley Espirandelli
Mentoria e Consultoria de Perfil do LinkedIn | Planejamento e Desenvolvimento | Gestão de Pessoas | LinkedIn | LinkedIn Trainer |
Uma coisa que sempre foi útil para buscar feedback isentos é fazer uma avaliação 360º, reunindo informações sobre desempenho e visão de cada integrante do grupo - gestão, pares e subordinados - com o objetivo de ter uma visão mais completa e equilibrada, avaliando não apenas desempenho como também competências comportamentais.
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Smita Das Jain
1400+ Coaching Hours|250+ Clients|9 countries|I empower leaders to get better at what they do|Executive Coach|Personal Empowerment Life Coach|PCC(ICF)|2xTEDx Speaker|3x Author| Co-Author of an International Bestseller
Actively seek feedback from colleagues, subordinates, and mentors to gain insights into areas for improvement. Embrace constructive criticism and use it as a catalyst for growth and development.
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Ulfat Irtebat
Empowering Success | Leadership & Personal Development Expert | Business Management & Governance Specialist | Transforming Aspirations into Achievements 🇮🇪🇬🇧
Seeking feedback is crucial for refining leadership skills. Engage with peers, subordinates, and mentors to gain valuable insights into blind spots and areas for improvement. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to recognize strengths and tailor your leadership development journey accordingly.
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Andy Hass
High-Performance Coach for Executives in Transition. Author. Neuroencoding, Change, Teams and Growth Specialist.
Neuroscience shows that through persistent practice and ongoing learning, we can reshape our habits and responses to align better with our goals. This approach is crucial when facing new leadership challenges later in your career. Engaging with a leadership coach can facilitate this continuous development, helping you to both adopt new habits and keep learning effectively. This dedicated effort enhances your leadership skills and provides lasting benefits for your team. Working with a coach ensures you receive the support and clarity needed to make these improvements sustainable.
Leadership is a lifelong learning process, and it's never too late to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones. Consider enrolling in workshops, seminars, or courses that focus on modern leadership techniques. By embracing a student's mindset, you signal to yourself and others that you are committed to growth and adaptation, which are hallmarks of effective leadership.
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Shyama Remadevi Nair
Head HR Generalist | Policy Designing and Implementation | Talent Advisor | Onboarding | People Operations | Employee Relations & Engagement | Talent Management
Its a continuous learning journey. Even if the experience and skills have not naturally translated into leadership abilities, it does not mean that we cannot develop and excel in this area. Embrace a growth mindset, seek out learning opportunities, and be open to feedback and self-improvement can help bridge the gap and unlock the leadership potential. Engage in activities that enhance emotional intelligence, such as practicing active empathy, conflict resolution, team-building exercises, can contribute to develop these leadership qualities. By taking on unfamiliar challenges and stepping outside of the comfort zone, we can discover new opportunities to broaden our perspective, improve our skills, and strengthen the leadership capabilities.
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Vanderley Espirandelli
Mentoria e Consultoria de Perfil do LinkedIn | Planejamento e Desenvolvimento | Gestão de Pessoas | LinkedIn | LinkedIn Trainer |
O líder precisa sempre buscar o aprendizado, para que possa se adaptar ao ambiente em mudança, desenvolvendo novas habilidades para que possa inspirar sua equipe e tomar decisões com base em informações atualizadas.
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Vanessa Alves Ruiz, ACC
Cultivating Consciousness 🌱 ICF Life, Executive & Team Coach | Occupational Health & Safety Coach | Soft Skills Trainer | Group Facilitator
Leadership is a lifelong adventure! In my experience, the best way to upgrade your leadership toolkit isn't by going solo. Think microlearning, online communities, and even tapping into your team's collective wisdom. Don't underestimate coaching and mentoring! A seasoned professional can provide invaluable guidance, challenge your blind spots, and skyrocket your growth. The key relies on embracing a curious mindset and seeking out diverse learning experiences. This way, you not only stay ahead of the curve, but also signal to your team your commitment to growth and adaptation.
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Carlos Borges
I support enterpreneurs, board members and CxOs to transform their leadership through the Executive Coach (ICF)
Once you have clarity on your development journey put the discoveris on your practice of your daily routine. Be focused, consistent and persistent on your learning journey.
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Ulfat Irtebat
Empowering Success | Leadership & Personal Development Expert | Business Management & Governance Specialist | Transforming Aspirations into Achievements 🇮🇪🇬🇧
As leaders, embracing continuous learning is paramount. Acknowledge that leadership is an ongoing journey and seize opportunities to acquire new skills or refine existing ones. Consider enrolling in workshops, seminars, or courses that delve into modern leadership techniques. By embracing a mindset of perpetual learning, you not only signal your commitment to personal growth but also demonstrate to your team the importance of adaptability and staying relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Adaptability is key in leadership. Your late career offers a unique opportunity to blend your accumulated wisdom with new approaches. For example, if you're used to a top-down management style, explore the benefits of a more collaborative approach. Adapting your style to better suit your team's needs can reinvigorate your leadership and increase your effectiveness.
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Smita Das Jain
1400+ Coaching Hours|250+ Clients|9 countries|I empower leaders to get better at what they do|Executive Coach|Personal Empowerment Life Coach|PCC(ICF)|2xTEDx Speaker|3x Author| Co-Author of an International Bestseller
Cultivate a mindset of adaptability and openness to change. Be willing to unlearn outdated practices and embrace new methodologies that resonate with contemporary leadership styles and organizational culture.
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Guillermo Mendoza Global Speaker Executive Coach ICC Master Trainer
Accelerating leadership around the globe. Avid 60+ countries traveler and scuba diver.
The best leadership style is "no style" or let me call it "super adaptable style". Meaning that you will reflect on what is the communication style and needs of the person your are dealing with, and you will adapt your style to better serve that person as her/his leader.
Leadership is fundamentally about relationships. At this stage in your career, focus on deepening your connections with team members by being more approachable and empathetic. This can involve mentoring others, being open to their ideas, and showing genuine interest in their professional growth. Strong relationships foster trust and loyalty, which are critical components of a successful leader's toolkit.
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Carlos Borges
I support enterpreneurs, board members and CxOs to transform their leadership through the Executive Coach (ICF)
Networking is very important, be internal or external. It´s important on how you position yourself and be authentic and empathetically with your stakeholders. Listen more than you talk, ask interesting questions and pay attention on what they really communicate verbally and non-verbally.
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Ulfat Irtebat
Empowering Success | Leadership & Personal Development Expert | Business Management & Governance Specialist | Transforming Aspirations into Achievements 🇮🇪🇬🇧
Building relationships is at the core of effective leadership. At this stage in your career, prioritise strengthening connections with team members by cultivating approachability and empathy. This may entail mentoring others, embracing their ideas, and demonstrating genuine interest in their professional development. Strong relationships cultivate trust and loyalty, indispensable qualities for successful leadership.
Finally, treat your leadership development as an iterative process. Reflect on the changes you've made and evaluate their impact. Be prepared to adjust your strategies as you learn what works and what doesn't. Continuous reflection ensures that your leadership remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of your organization and your team.
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Luis Fortunato de Abreu Branco, PMP®, PMI-ACP®
20 X🏆Top of Voice in Strategy, Leadership & Management | CEO @ Business Insight | PMI ATP Trainer | Lean & Operations Management | Management Consulting
Regularly reflect on your leadership practice. Assess what is working well and what can be improved. Be open to making adjustments and adaptations as necessary. Self-critique and self-reflection are essential components for continuous growth as a leader.
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Rosemary Mlinaric
Educational Leadership Coach | Empowering school leaders to thrive both personally and professionally.
If your late-career experience and skills aren't translating into effective leadership, it's time to reassess and adapt. Firstly, reflect on your leadership style and consider areas for improvement. Seek feedback from peers and mentors to identify blind spots. Invest in leadership training or coaching to refine your skills. Embrace a growth mindset and be open to learning new approaches. Remember, effective leadership is a continuous journey of growth and development.
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Smita Das Jain
1400+ Coaching Hours|250+ Clients|9 countries|I empower leaders to get better at what they do|Executive Coach|Personal Empowerment Life Coach|PCC(ICF)|2xTEDx Speaker|3x Author| Co-Author of an International Bestseller
Continuously monitor and evaluate leadership effectiveness through key performance indicators and feedback mechanisms. Be willing to adapt strategies based on outcomes and strive for continuous improvement.
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Smita Das Jain
1400+ Coaching Hours|250+ Clients|9 countries|I empower leaders to get better at what they do|Executive Coach|Personal Empowerment Life Coach|PCC(ICF)|2xTEDx Speaker|3x Author| Co-Author of an International Bestseller
Stay Current. Be abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in leadership. Invest in continuous learning through workshops, courses, or certifications to update skills and knowledge relevant to modern leadership roles.
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Sultan AlHassni
بعيدةً عن خبرتك الواسعة في المراحل المتأخرة من حياتك المهنية، القيادة تتطلب مهارات إضافية. إذا لم تترجم خبراتك إلى قيادة فعالة، فإليك ما يمكنك فعله: ١. حدد نقاط ضعفك: اطلب من فريقك ملاحظات بشكل مباشر أو غير مباشر (عبر استطلاع آراء مجهول المصدر). ٢. طور مهاراتك: ابحث عن برامج تدريبية أو توجيه تنفيذي لصقل مهارات القيادة مثل التواصل الفعال والتفويض والإلهام. ٣. التعلم من القادة الآخرين: راقب كيف يقود الآخرون واكتسب معرفة من أساليبهم. ٤. ادرب نفسك: تطوع بمشروع صعوبة متوسطة لتطبيق مهاراتك الجديدة. بالمثال، إذا كنت خبيرًا في المحاسبة ولكن يواجه صعوبة في تحفيز الفريق، فخذ دورة حول القيادة التحويلية أو اطلب من مدير تنفيذي ناجح توجيهك. باستثمار وقتك في التطوير، يمكنك أن تصبح قائدًا فعالًا يُلهم فريقك ويحقق النجاح.
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Otavio Mendonça
Executive Manager of Logistics and Transport | Process Optimization | Cost Reduction | People Development | Team Management | Customer Service
A liderança é um aprendizado contínuo, por isso é importante estar sempre atualizado e aberto a mudanças, pois o mundo e as pessoas hoje têm um dinamismo muito diferente do que há 5, 10 anos. Na maioria das vezes não é necessário mudar o estilo, apenas adapta-lo ao novo cenário.
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Mayda Poc
Career Strategist and Executive Coach| ex Wall Streeter | Leadership Development | Align your Career with your Highest Potential
Things change fast - but experience will always be your best and most valuable asset. If you feel you are "falling behind", focus on 1/ technical skills that you may be lagging behind, but more importantly 2/ soft skills and risk-taking. As we get more experienced, we sometimes fall into the trap of sunk cost: "I have worked hard to get what I have, I am reluctant to start from scratch". Make a full inventory of your skills and also of your leadership qualities, take steps to get up-to-date. If you are still feeling "inadequate" in the place where you are, perhaps time to consider other venues where your experience is fully valued.
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Dr Toomas Särev
Cardiologist • Executive Coach Adviser & Team Coach • Red Team Instructor • Emotional Intelligence Practitioner • Leadership Development • H2H • Humanising Healthcare Leadership • England • UK • EMEA • North America
Leadership is all about relationships. High Emotional Intelligence is crucial for leaders who must deal with complexities and emotional challenges, especially if they work in the healthcare context. It is all about how we come across. Is there a misalignment between what you demonstrate and how your peers experience that? How important is a particular EI domain in your role - for example, as a leader, do you demonstrate a high level of emotional reasoning? Do you practice conscious leadership (i.e., above or below the "line")? How does what you do as a leader benefit you? What are you avoiding? These are some questions for self-reflection and -assessment.
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