Shawn ButtnerCertified High Performance Coach and Podcaster Clone

First Step of Fantastic Leadership

12 Aug 2022 · 0 min

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0:11

In this short segment of the "First Step of Fantastic Leadership" video, the host asks what a beginner should focus on to maximize leadership opportunities and avoid common pitfalls. The guest responds with a concise three‑step formula: (1) conduct an honest self‑assessment to identify skill gaps; (2) pursue targeted development using concrete resources such as Toastmasters for public speaking, professional courses, or a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for process skills; and (3) understand that strong individual performance does not automatically translate into leadership readiness, so deliberate preparation is essential. The exchange sets the tone for practical, actionable guidance aimed at early‑career professionals seeking promotion into leadership roles.

One to three things you would tell a beginner to really focus on to make sure that they are maximizing that opportunity and not repeating mistakes.
Oh, agreed, agreed. It's really a three step formula.
It's really.
A three step formula and it really, it has to follow this cadence. Number one, you really have to look at yourself. You know, you got that role, you got that position. You know, toughen up, be vulnerable with yourself and figure out what are the things you need. You know, do you need to go to Toastmasters to learn to speak in front of people? Do you need to, you know, go take a course or get your green, let's say your green belt and lean six sigma. Go figure out what you need to do to develop to get that going. Because I can tell you, oftentimes we are thrusted into leadership positions well before we're ready. Right. You know, just because you're the best programmer doesn't mean you need to lead a team of programmers. And I think that's a flaw of like, you know, cultural organizational systems is just because you're good at, you know, you might be the number one salesman in selling cars may not be the reason why you need to be the gm because they're functionally two different jobs.