Leadership can be such a humbling experience. No matter how long you’ve been leading, there will always be new challenges and ways to approach effectively leading a team. When looking at ways to continue to grow as a leader, it’s easy to bring up Google and let the endless ideas populate. Learn from a mentor, dive into more projects, search for opportunities to learn something different, read more, research industry trends, and the list continues.

I want to propose an idea that most likely doesn’t show up on any of these lists you’ll find. It’s an idea that not only can help build leadership skills but will also help propel you in your personal growth journey. The idea is to practice leadership skills…on yourself.

While priorities of a leader are certainly debatable, key aspects such as providing a clear vision, open and honest communication, and identifying ways to expand the impact of the team are just a few that may commonly hit the top list of priorities for a leader. Typically, we’ll think of these leadership priorities in an outwards direction – the impact you have as a leader outward to your team. Let’s explore flipping this to practicing leadership inward.

Take a moment to reflect on the following:

• Do you want to enhance your skillset of effectively communicating a clear vision to your team? Start with developing a clear vision for yourself.
• Are you working on practicing open and honest lines of communication? Begin with challenging yourself on open and honest lines of communication on what’s working well, what’s falling short of your expectations, what level of standards you’re living by.
• Is expanding the value-add and impact your team has become a priority? Initiate the exploration within yourself to raise the bar and standard of what you as an individual can positively impact.

A big part of leadership growth comes from being in the middle of uncomfortable and finding ways to learn and develop from each situation. The more you put yourself in these situations, the more opportunities you allow learning to take place. It doesn’t always have to be an outwards approach. Yes, practicing with your team and others can absolutely bring leadership growth. But don’t underestimate the process of looking inward to search for opportunities to lead, learn, and develop.

Take your step: regardless of whether you’re a formal or informal leader, identify one leadership characteristic you have the desire to improve. If there is hesitancy to practice the leadership trait on your team, instead of procrastinating, see if it’s something you can practice on yourself. Try the inward approach and practice improving the leadership quality on yourself to not only learn and grow in the leadership quality, but also help progress your personal growth journey.