Zooming Out : Leadership growth

Zooming Out: Leadership Growth

Leadership growth begins when you step into unfamiliar territory, take risks, and challenge your own limits. For many new leaders, the leap from managing tasks to embracing a broader strategic vision can feel uncomfortable. But it’s in this discomfort that real growth happens. Are you ready to zoom out and see what leadership looks like beyond the daily grind?

Firstly, growth starts with awareness. Where are you thriving as a leader, and where could you improve? A simple yet powerful way to assess this is through a leadership growth wheel. Heres a starter wheel for you to expand on. Take a piece of paper and draw out a wheel such as this. The sections in the wheel represent different aspects of leadership. Assuming the center of the wheel as 1 and the outer edge as 10, rank your evaluation of each aspect of leadership skill by drawing a straight/curved line to create a new edge. Here are a few sections I listed out for you in this example.

·      Delegation: Are you entrusting your team with responsibility?

·      Strategic Awareness: Do you see the broader organizational context?

·      Emotional Intelligence: How well do you navigate interpersonal dynamics?

·      Adaptability: Change is inevitable. How you pivot determines whether you thrive.

·      Vision Setting: Can you see beyond today and inspire others to follow you into tomorrow?

·      Cross-Functional Relationships: Are you able to connect and create synergies across departments?

This exercise is about gaining clarity. The gaps in your wheel point to opportunities for growth. The more balanced your wheel, the smoother your leadership journey.

Leadership Growth Wheel

Delegation Now lets dig into a couple of these - take delegation for example. One of the hardest lessons in leadership is learning to let go. Delegating tasks you’re skilled at can feel so counterintuitive, but it’s a necessary step toward creating a stronger team.

When you delegate, you’re not simply making efficient use of resources, you are planting seeds for growth—allowing team members to develop new skills, build confidence, and take ownership of their roles. This doesn’t mean stepping away entirely; it’s about providing guidance and trust while allowing others to rise to the challenge. Cultivating a self-reliant team not only enhances their growth but also gives you back the capacity to focus on strategic priorities and lead at a higher level.

Adaptability Change is constant, often uncomfortable, and rarely predictable—but how you lead your team through it makes all the difference. It’s not enough to simply pivot; you must pivot with purpose, taking your team with you rather than leaving them feeling disoriented or pulled in conflicting directions.

Adaptable leaders balance clarity with flexibility. They communicate the why behind a change, ensuring their team understands the broader purpose and direction. By bringing the team into the process and encouraging input, they turn change into an opportunity for shared growth and problem-solving. Adaptability, when done well, doesn’t feel like chaos—it feels like evolution.

When you model adaptability as a leader, you create a team that is more resilient and less resistant to change. You demonstrate that uncertainty isn’t something to fear, but a chance to experiment, learn, and innovate. Leaders who carry their teams through change with care and intention don’t just survive the storm—they emerge stronger together.

A Coaching Moment: Reflect and Grow

If leadership is a journey, then reflection is your map. The Leadership Growth Wheel is one tool that helps you identify where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. Think of it as a starting point for your growth, not a final judgment.

1.     Pause and Assess: Take a look at your wheel. Where are your strengths? Where do you see gaps?

2.     Identify Priorities: Focus on one or two areas where improvement will create the most impact for you and your team.

3.     Take Action: Growth requires intention. Set clear, actionable goals to build on your skills. Share them with a mentor, coach, or colleague to hold yourself accountable.

Each step forward—no matter how small—moves you closer to becoming the leader you aspire to be. So, where are you on this journey? Take a moment to reflect, use the growth wheel, and set your sights on what’s next. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions and being willing to grow along the way.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free call with me today!