When you take on a leadership role, one of the most difficult transitions is epitomized by this Simon Sinek quote:
 

In other words, the most important tool for a leader is not expertise or ability - its INFLUENCE. Influence is the ability to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways. This means, of course, that leaders often find it difficult to directly measure their success. After all, how does one measure influence?

Of course, a team that consistently hits it's goals and produces great results likely indicates successful leadership. In addition, when your team voices appreciation for your leadership, it's an indication that you're on the right track.

However, because goals, results and appreciation are not necessarily every day occurences, here are 6 signs (3 internal and 3 external) that you, as a leader, are managing your responsibility well.      

Internal Signs

You have a healthy sense of self.
Having a healthy sense of self means accepting yourself as you are.  A leader with a healthy sense of self understands what they are good at and has the ability to extend grace to themselves when needed. 

You check yourself when irritated or frustrated.
It's perfectly human to experience irritation and frustration. Fatigue, illness and stress are often contributors to these feelings. A leader who has cultivated a keen sense of self awareness is able to recognize these feelings as signals to pull back rather than lash out at others.

You observe yourself responding to the unexpected with curiosity rather than judgment.
When expectations about results or behavior aren't met, it's easy to shift into judgment mode.  A leader who has built up a strong curiosity muscle, responds to the unexpected with "I wonder . . ." rather than immediately labeling what has happened as "bad".

External Signs

Your team members confide in you.
With a high level of trust and openness, team members will confide in you when they aren't at their best or are dealing with stressful circumstances outside the workplace. A leader whose members confide in them are able to proactively make adjustments and provide support to team members who are preoccupied and, potentially distracted, by personal circumstances.

Your team members feel comfortable sharing ideas.
In an environment in which people feel safe, team members will feel comfortable sharing their ideas for service offerings, project management and operations. A leader who cultivates an environment in which idea sharing is valued will be pleasantly surprised at the team's enthusiasm and high caliber of the ideas.

Your team members engage in healthy conflict.
Conflict among team members is not inherently negative. In fact, conflict can be an indication that teams are committed to doing quality work. That is as long as the conflict is around ideas and not personalities. A leader who ensures that conflict is managed well will help their team perform at higher and higher levels.

Leadership at it's very basic is about influence - or as I like to say "Interaction where influence occurs". The reason influence is difficult to measure is because it often evokes emotion that cannot be verbalized - only felt.

Bottom line - When you create a safe place in which team members feel they can be who they are and contribute their best work, you've set up a team or organization designed for great results and maximum impact.

What other signs have you discovered that point toward leadership success? 
 

Passionate Leadership
is who you're being as you're leading.

About the Author

Gayle Ely is a Leadership Coach, Trainer and Facilitator and founder of Total Life Leadership. At Total Life Leadership, we partner with purpose-driven non-profit leaders and service entrepreneurs to help them answer the question “How Do I Become a Better Leader?”

Using The Six Pillars of Passionate Leadership, we equip leaders to be the best they can be.  The result is a passionate leader whose team and organization are operating for maximum impact.

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