Want to be a better leader? Look in the mirror

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The, June, 2007 by Michael O. McAuliffe

Know thyself. The unexamined life is not worth living.
--Socrates

The question of whether leaders are "born" or "made" often arises as we explore new ways to develop more effective leaders. Some are convinced that leaders are simply born, that genetics determine a person's ability to become a successful leader. If that were the case, the works of renowned leadership authors, such as Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, and Warren Bennis, would provide nothing more than entertaining reading. Regardless of your outlook on this question, expanding your knowledge through reading literature on leadership, although a significant initiative, is just the beginning toward self-improvement.

If you want to become a more valuable leader for your organization, your first step involves taking a long, hard look in the mirror. The second step is to be completely truthful about what you see. While examining your reflection as a leader, you might find it helpful to ponder, Do people trust me? Do I treat people the way I would like to be treated? Do I keep my promises? Am I honest in my interactions with those around me? Do I lead by example? Do I make effective decisions? Am I a good listener?

This may not be a comfortable or enjoyable endeavor, especially if you are not accustomed to honest, self-reflection. Rest assured, objective self-assessment is where becoming a more effective leader begins. How many of us have worked for people who have an "open door policy"? Yet, when you stop to see them, they hardly acknowledge your presence. They continue to respond to e-mail, answer the telephone, and barely listen to a word you have to say. Or, take the executive who promises to follow up on an issue that is important to you yet never mentions it again. Can you be honest with yourself if you have developed any of these ineffective leadership qualities? Only through candid self-reflection and assessment will you be ready to begin the journey of self-improvement as a leader.

Each day provides many opportunities to enhance our leadership skills. In a world where we are tasked to "do more with less" and address endless demands, we must take time to reflect on how we can become more successful in our leadership roles. These moments of self-examination may represent the most insightful means to becoming a great leader and successfully facing the dynamic leadership challenges of the 21st century.

Michael O. McAuliffe, a special agent in the Leadership Development Institute at the FBI Academy, prepared this Leadership Spotlight.