How you can become a better leader

When you're not making progress it’s natural to indulge in a little introspection – but don’t get bogged down in your past. Insight comes from experience and you’re only going to get that by taking action. So make a new resolution to quit all the self-reflection and get moving.

In my book Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, I challenge the fallacy that people change from the inside out. Rather, we need an outside-in approach. I call this outsight. Outsight is what will help you transition from your current job to a bigger leadership role. So how do you develop it? By testing your old assumptions and experimenting with new possibilities.

Begin by making changes in how you do your job, what kinds of relationships you form and how you do what you do.

1. Redefine your job.

Have a really close look at what you’re doing in your present job. What do you spend most of your time on? Often it’s the things you excel at, but that’s a competency trap. The more you do what you’re really good at, the less you develop the things you’re less good at – and the more people pigeonhole you. The opportunity costs are huge. I see so many people who are trapped because they’re a lifeline to their boss who can depend on them to deliver.