4.5 Developing yourself as a leader
As an emerging leader it is important for you to take time to reflect on your own research goals and the development plans you have in place. It may be helpful to keep a journal and regularly reflect on what you have learned about yourself in the intervening period. Note your insights, new ideas, and changed goals. If possible, seek out a mentor to help guide your development. You can also seek feedback from your colleagues and supervisor through 360-degree feedback questionnaires to get useful insight into your leadership style and areas for development.
In Topic 3.4 we looked at how you can assess your capabilities as a research team leader, and this is a good starting point for development. The results of this assessment, and your understanding of your personality style, will provide guidance on opportunities for self-development.
However, there are other aspects that can be developed in ourselves, including:
- Intellectual stimulation
- Handling stress
- Cultural sensitivity
- Personal values
- Physical capability
Intellectual stimulation
As a research leader you need to renew yourself regularly to avoid lethargy setting in? the shakeup of renewal can be called positive turbulence. By shaking up your experiences you will be renewed. You can create positive turbulence for yourself by:
- Reading outside your field, especially fringe publications
- Attending conferences outside your field
- Joining professional and external networks
- Participating in travel, especially to other countries
- Making role changes and job changes within the research team
- Taking periods of renewal such as sabbaticals
- Taking retreats
Personal values
The values modelled by the leader's actions are often adopted by the group. While each of us strives to live by our higher ideals, we sometimes fall short. In your journal, take time to identify and appreciate where you have been demonstrating these values, and where you would like to improve in the future.
When things go wrong
If you feel you are not coping as a research leader or your team is not flourishing, you should seek assistance from your human resources services or perhaps a management coach.
Cultural sensitivity
Many of us can improve our understanding of people from other cultures. To do this we need to learn the basics of other cultures.
Modules 