5 Tips to Stand Out As a Leader Among Your Coworkers
You want to take your behavioral health job up a notch by becoming a more active part of the team. Leadership has been on your mind for a while now, so you want to start proving you have what it takes to shine in this type of role.
Being a leader means you’re no longer just there to do your job. Instead, you need to focus on the greater good of the team.
Here’s some advice to help you get started.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
When the going gets rough, leaders keep everyone’s spirits up. Be the person your coworkers can count on to help them find the best in trying situations. For example, if a team project doesn’t go as planned, turn it into a learning opportunity to improve for next time. Changing the mentality to one of positivity will boost their spirits and help them focus on continuous improvement.
Lend a Helping Hand
A leader doesn’t quit when their own work is done. Instead, they look around to see where else they’re needed. Doing anything necessary to help the team succeed will allow you to be viewed as a leader, instead of an individual contributor. Whether you take a project off an overworked colleague’s plate or stay late to ensure a key deadline is met, this will not go unnoticed.
Seek Constant Growth
As innovative thinkers, leaders are never content with the status quo. Instead, they’re always searching for ways to become more efficient. Prove you’re focused on growth by regularly pursuing learning opportunities. Enrolling in online courses, attending training sessions, and even taking the time to learn more about your colleagues’ jobs shows your desire for growth.
Own Your Mistakes
No one is perfect — even the most seasoned behavioral health professionals. There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes, but to be a leader, you have to own them. Being humble enough to admit an error in judgment will allow you to earn the respect of your team. People look up to colleagues who are strong enough to stand up and take the blame, instead of trying to pass it on to someone else or sweep it under the rug.
Speak Up
If you want to lead the team, you need to make your voice heard. Leaders aren’t afraid to share new ideas in meetings or challenge processes they don’t think are working. Sometimes your input will be well-received and other times it won’t be, but you can’t get discouraged.
People will notice when you speak up and they’ll appreciate your input. Contributing to conversations sparks ideas and makes people think, whereas sitting silently on the sidelines does nothing. You can’t lead a team by fading into the background, so gain a reputation as being someone who always shares their opinion.
Stepping into a leadership role is a dream you’re ready to pursue. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you find your next behavioral health position, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].