Not Just Resume Builder Questions To Answer. These Are YOU, What

What are you most proud of?
Who and what are the influences that have shaped you?
What defines when you are at your absolute best?
I am taking the leadership foundations classes at Xavier University and these are some of
the questions that I had to answer. At first glance they seem super easy, but as you delve in,
not so much. These are not just resume builder questions to answer. These are YOU, what
YOU are made of and what has formed YOU into your gorgeous self. You are like a piece of
coal. With some heat and pressure you have become the diamond you are today. How hot
did it get? Who applied the pressure?
How do you want others to see you?
How do you want others to remember you?
What leadership style do you emulate the most?
I encourage you to take some time to answer these questions. Get to know yourself better.
Reflect on events and people that have influenced your life, and how you think and feel. By
participating in this exercise you will grow and gain improved insight to self. Don't forget to
say thank you to the gemologists on your journey to SUCCESS!
Reach for the stars!
Who are you as a leader?

My daughter is in the process of applying to university and one of the things she is doing is
applying for scholarships that recognize her leadership and community involvement. At the
ripe old age of 17, she has really stepped into who she as a leader. She is clear on who she
is, her impact on her community and what she wants to create and change in the world.
So what about you? Who are you as a leader and what sets you apart from the pack? To
help you answer that question, here are some things to think about.
1.
What are the values that are most important to you? Many of us are so busy doing
that we dont take time to just be and ask this question. When asked this question,
many of my clients do not have an answer. One exercise I give them is a mountains and
valleys exercise. This is how it works. If you look over time identify some of the high
points and low points in your life. This may include career, community, relationships, etc.
For each example, think about what made it so. In your high point stories, there is a
hidden value. Review the situation that you have identified as a high point and ask what
is important about that situation. In your low point stories, there is usually a value that
has been trampled upon. Look at it carefully and see what is there.
2.
Pick two or three values and really embrace them. Bring them into your bones so
they become an essential part of you, like your muscles, skin and bone. The more you
step into and lead from your values, the more authentic you will be.
3.
Now think about what you want people to say about you as a leader. Imagine you
are a fly on the wall and people are talking about you. What would you like them to be
saying about you? Some of my clients have written their eulogies as a way to answer this
question. Here is a link to a recent HBR blog that is really inspiring: Leaders with
Values All of the speakers talk about a leader that inspired them and why.
4.
The greatest leaders tell stories that support their values and what they are looking
to cause in the world. What are your stories? What has defined you to be who you are
today? What do you stand for and are looking to create in the world? If you want to see
story telling in action, look at some of the speeches given by such leaders as Martin
Luther King, Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs and Barack Obama. Each of these individuals tells a
story that makes their message more compelling and inspiring.
5.
And finally, what is the impact you want to leave as a leader? This is not about
dollars and cents. It is about your legacy and what you want to leave to the world. Tony
Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos, is a recent example of a leader who is clear on what his legacy
will be. He has created a company that is, in part, based on his value of happiness and
what he is looking to bring to his company, his employees, his customers and the world
How To Identify Who You Are As A Leader

November 17, 2013 by Susan Ruhl
1
Workplace
Advertisement
Who are you as a leader? Most people are polite. When we talk about ourselves in our job search,
often the listener is politely nodding but really they are thinking So what? or I have no idea what
you are trying to say to me. We walk away thinking we knocked it out of the park and we continue to
delude ourselves.
Every month, I facilitate a power networking group for Executives in Transition. Not surprisingly,
these executives are faced with an intense and highly competitive marketplace that includes larger
pools of competing candidates, sparse opportunities, and a talent buyers market.
I am not sure if its ego or laziness, but time after time, these leaders poorly communicate what they
want or need.
The most important thing any job seeker, especially a leader, can do to help themselves in the
process is take the time to really understand what makes them unique.
So often, job candidates dont have a good grasp on the Why should we hire you over someone
else? question.
In every meeting, we attempt to get the attendees to hone in on exactly that subject. We are almost
always met with a boring diatribe that leaves the listener saying so what? HR leaders love to say
that what makes them unique is that they like to be out among the workers.
So? How does that help a company? IT leaders love to say that they understand technology AND
business. I have yet to meet a CIO who doesnt say that. If everyone is saying that, you are not
unique. So how do you figure out what makes you different?
One of the quickest ways to identify who you are as a leader is to think about 3-5 stories in which
you were successful in past positions. Lay them out (on paper) and identify clearly the Challenge
you were faced with, the Action that you took, and the Result.
We refer to this as the CAR exercise. Frankly, this is a vital step that will help you throughout the job
search process. If you clearly understand the value that you can bring to a prospective employer,
you will be able to network better, brand yourself better, interview better, and assess your own needs
better.
Once you do have a handle on what you bring to the table, whittle that down to two or three
sentences. A great structure to what you should say is to identify your desired role and then to state
what pains you can solve for that employer. It is vital that you be clear and succinct when you are
communicating your value statement.
I am a firm believer that your 30 second commercial is too long. Know yourself well and state it
clearly. A great acronym that we use is the WAIT principle. Why Am I Talking?
Another great exercise is to draw a timeline and list out the jobs that you have held. Above the
timeline, note what you liked about that role. Below the timeline, note what you disliked about that
role. This will help you get a handle on the type of roles you are willing to undertake as well as those
you are not.
Leaders must be clear on their unique leadership contributions and the types of organizations that
respond to it. Its human nature for any job seeker to take their best strengths for granted and
overlook successes.
Career transition requires that they take responsibility for re-messaging their core skills to connect to
the bona fide and compelling value being offered to the buying audience.
Do you have a clear grasp on your value proposition? If not, what is stopping you? I would love to
hear your thoughts.
Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/how-identify-leader/#ZcVq0rmm8qV3t6jj.99
Who Are You as a Leader? 3

Questions to Define Your
Leadership Roadmap
MARCH 24, 2014Amanda Leet
61SHARES
To celebrate Women's History Month, we'll be publishing inspirational, female-focused

content throughout the month of March. Enjoy!
Ive come across many articles this Womens History Month about innovative women in
every fieldfrom web developers to members of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Yet, as
Dreamforce speakerSheryl Sandberg points out, we also know that women with natural
leadership skills are sometimes perceived as bossy, and may struggle to realize their
full leadership potential.
If youre a woman with a passion and a knack for leadership, theres never been a better
time to go for it! Regardless of your gender or where you are in your leadership journey,
I think leadership centers on self-awareness. Before you can command that boardroom
or successfully manage a team, you need to first hone in on your leadership values.
What do you want to be known for?
Try building a leadership profile for yourselfa roadmap of qualities and ideals that will
guide you toward your definition of success. Take a few moments to think about where
you are, where youve been, and where you want to go.
Here are a few questions about leadership that you may want to think through.
What do you think makes a good leader?
Youll be well equipped to lead if youre clear on the traits you admire and want to
develop. For example, these are a few characteristics I think are important:
Leaders are consistent. To me, the best leaders are reliable in how they act and
communicate. Their team members arent worried that their manager will come into the
office one day in a super-angry or overly gloomy mood.
Leaders assume good will. A good leader never assumes that a teammate is out to get
them, or wants to throw the project off track. Instead, leaders remember that others are
also trying to improve things.
Leaders remember the basics of being kind. Who are the people you gravitate toward?
More than likely, theyre people who remain positive, have a great energy, and treat
others with kindness. You can absolutely be a strong, respected leader and get your
point across while still being caring.
How will you prioritize life and work?

Working parents often get asked about work/life balance. For me, as the mom of a fourand five-year-old, Ive decided its not about work and life; its about life and priorities.
In todays hyperconnected world, you can always be connected to your job. Connectivity
is hugeit allows us to be with our families at home and answer a quick work email, but
that constant connectivity can also lead to never being completely off work if we let it.
Before you have a laundry list of new responsibilities at work, decide how youll prioritize
when things get hectic. Always ensure youre feeding yourself with what motivates and
energizes you.
Do you have mentors to help you grow as a leader?

A great mentor is someone who invests in you personally and professionally, and gives
you experiences that develop you and open your eyes and mind. I also think its
important that your mentors care for you as a person, and that you have a personal
compatibility with them.
Your definition of a mentor may change throughout the years (mine definitely has), but
look for someone who lets you shadow them and fosters enriching experiences for you.
The traits that make someone a great leader are diverse. As I look around to my
teammates at ExactTarget Marketing Cloud, I know thats a fact. Think about the legacy
you want to leave behind, and aim to behave that way every day. But above all, keep in
mind that being a good personno matter your gender or skill setmakes anyone a
good leader.

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What are you most proud of?

Who are you as a leader?

How To Identify Who You Are As A Leader

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/how-identify-leader/#ZcVq0rmm8qV3t6jj.99

Who Are You as a Leader? 3

To celebrate Women's History Month, we'll be publishing inspirational, female-focused

How will you prioritize life and work?

Do you have mentors to help you grow as a leader?

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