Becoming the Leader Your Team Needs
In our last blog, we left off with Sarah’s realization that her role as a leader had fundamentally changed. Instead of being in the trenches, solving problems alongside her team, she was now tasked with something far more strategic and visionary. Sarah needed to become the lighthouse—a consistent, steady presence that helps her team navigate through uncertainty.
Today, I’m sharing some practical steps that helped Sarah—and can help you—become that guiding light for your team.
Create space for clarity: Take time to reflect and assess the bigger picture before reacting. By slowing down and stepping back, you create room for clarity—moving beyond the blame game and focusing on the path forward.
Hold the vision: Stay focused on the long-term vision and communicate it clearly to your team. In turbulent times, it’s easy to lose sight of the destination, but your focus becomes an anchor, guiding your team back toward the destination.
Create a clear narrative: For Sarah, crafting a clear, compelling narrative about the problematic product was essential. “What’s happening? Why? Where are we headed?” When your team sees the whole picture, they feel more grounded, less reactionary, and more prepared to move forward.
Model calm leadership: Just as a lighthouse remains unshaken by the storm, calm leaders project stability and inspire their teams to follow suit, creating a more productive environment for problem-solving.
Stay connected without losing perspective: While a lighthouse doesn’t leave its post, it still guides ships to safety. Similarly, leaders can support and guide their teams without getting caught up in daily details. For Sarah, this meant providing guidance from a higher vantage point, seeing the bigger picture while allowing her team to manage the day-to-day.
Keep your light on: To stay a steady guide, you need to prioritize your own well-being. As a leader, you are responsible for keeping your own light on. Dedicate time to think about what lights YOU up—before the storm comes. Whether it’s taking time to recharge in nature, going to the gym or talking to a friend—engaging in activities that fuel you and taking care of yourself are essential to being the leader your team needs.
Becoming a lighthouse is a process, but once you do, your team will begin to trust and follow your steady guidance, no matter how turbulent the waters may be.
If you’re looking to step into this kind of leadership and guide your team through uncertainty with confidence and clarity, our upcoming professional women’s group will help you build these essential skills. Enrollment opens soon–space is limited, so keep an eye out for details to come.
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