Guest Blog by Angela Buckley
Journaling Starts the Inner Journey: Likeable Leadership Starting Points
In today’s fast-paced world, the pursuit of effective leadership often centers on external achievements—meeting goals, driving performance, and managing teams. However, true leadership begins from within. The journey to becoming a likable leader is not just about what you do but who you are at your core. One of the most powerful tools to start this inner journey is journaling.
Journaling allows leaders to reflect on their thoughts, behaviors, and experiences, providing a structured space for personal growth. It’s a process of self-discovery that helps cultivate the essential qualities of leadership. The Likeable Leadership Reflection Journals series is designed precisely for this purpose, guiding leaders through the foundational traits that make leadership effective and truly likable.
Journal 1: Cultivating Core Values
The first journal in the Likeable Leadership series delves into four foundational traits: humility, generosity, integrity, and consistency. These qualities are the bedrock of a leader's character.
Humility is about recognizing that leadership is not about ego but service. It’s about understanding that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and a good leader listens and learns from others.
Generosity involves giving time, knowledge, and resources without expecting anything in return. It’s about creating a culture of abundance where everyone can thrive.
Integrity is the alignment of words and actions. Leaders who exhibit integrity build trust, as their teams know they can count on them to be truthful and fair.
Consistency ensures that a leader's actions are reliable and predictable. Consistent leadership builds stability, which fosters a safe and productive work environment.
By journaling about these traits, leaders can assess how well they embody them in their daily interactions and identify areas for improvement. Reflection on these qualities enables leaders to internalize them, making them second nature.
Journal 2: Building Positive Connections
The second journal focuses on traits that enhance a leader’s ability to connect with others: friendliness, positivity, availability, and good listening. These traits are essential for creating a supportive and motivating atmosphere.
Friendliness is more than just being polite; it’s about creating a warm and welcoming environment where people feel valued.
Positivity is maintaining a hopeful and encouraging attitude, even in challenging times. Leaders who exude positivity inspire their teams to stay motivated and resilient.
Availability means being present and approachable. Leaders who are available to their teams foster open communication and trust.
Good Listening is the cornerstone of effective communication. Leaders who listen actively and empathetically are better equipped to understand their team's needs and concerns, leading to more informed decision-making.
Journaling on these traits helps leaders explore their interpersonal skills and consider how their interactions impact those around them. It’s an opportunity to develop more meaningful and constructive relationships within their teams.
Looking Ahead: Journal 3 and Beyond
The third journal in the Likeable Leadership series, set for release in Q3 2024, will delve into four additional traits: focus, authenticity, celebration, and honesty. These qualities are essential for leaders who wish to inspire trust and drive meaningful progress.
Focus is about maintaining clarity on goals and priorities. Focused leaders can guide their teams toward achieving objectives without getting sidetracked by distractions. Journaling on focus helps leaders reflect on their ability to set clear intentions and maintain direction, ensuring that they and their teams stay on course.
Authenticity means being true to oneself and leading with genuine values. Authentic leaders build strong connections with their teams by being transparent about their thoughts and motivations. Journaling on authenticity encourages leaders to explore their true selves and how their actions align with their values.
Celebration involves recognizing and honoring achievements, both big and small. Celebrating successes fosters a positive and motivated team environment. By journaling about celebration, leaders can reflect on how they acknowledge their teams' hard work and accomplishments, ensuring that recognition becomes a regular and meaningful practice.
Honesty is the foundation of trust in any relationship. Honest leaders communicate openly and truthfully, even when the news is difficult to deliver. Journaling on honesty allows leaders to examine their communication practices and ensure that they foster a culture of transparency and trustworthiness.
With these traits, Journal 3 continues the journey toward likable leadership, encouraging leaders to deepen their self-awareness and strengthen their connection with others.
The Power of Self-Reflection in Leadership
Journaling is not just a record of daily events; it’s a mirror reflecting a leader’s innermost thoughts and values. Angela Buckley, PhD, who holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, emphasizes that the inner journey is just as crucial as any external leadership strategy. She hosts the Overcome to Become podcast and author of the Strength in Nature leadership series. As a mother and an athlete competing for Team USA in triathlons, Angela understands the importance of balancing different aspects of life and how this balance impacts leadership.
The Likeable Leadership Reflection Journals provide a structured way for leaders to embark on this inner journey. Leaders can continuously evolve and enhance their effectiveness by reflecting on key leadership traits. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned leader, these journals offer a roadmap to becoming a likable and more effective leader.
Ultimately, Likeable leadership is not just about what you do—it’s about who you are. And there’s no better way to start discovering yourself as a leader than through the simple yet profound act of journaling.
Please join April Tribe Giauque and Anela Buckley on the Beacon of Light Podcast to learn more about how journaling can start the journey!
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