Transform Your Leadership Skills in 7 Steps
Leadership is a craft that shapes organisations, inspires individuals, and fuels growth. But how do leaders truly master their skills? Are these abilities innate, cultivated from a young age, or developed over time through experience? The answers often lie in understanding and embracing the fundamentals of great leadership.
Ms. Rabia Mirza, an accredited HR Consultant and Executive Coach, has nearly two decades of experience working with leaders at every level, from front-line managers to C-suite executives. Through her work across Ireland, Canada, and the USA, Rabia has discovered that while cultural and organisational nuances exist, the traits of great leaders remain strikingly consistent.
Here are seven core principles she believes are essential to mastering leadership skills.
Do You Work in a Toxic Workplace? 🥴
Have you ever found yourself in a workplace where the atmosphere is stifling, the leadership demeaning, or the environment so toxic that just getting through the day feels like a monumental task?
These environments often foster gossip, harassment, and backstabbing. Roles are unclear, communication is poor, and employee well-being frequently feels like an afterthought. The toll such workplaces take is far more than just professional. It is deeply personal. Toxic work environments can harm mental and physical health, leading to stress, burnout, and even questioning whether remaining in the workforce is worth it.
But what can be done if this is your reality?
The Do's and Don’ts of Interviewing: Maximising Interview Success and Staying Legally Compliant
Hiring the right talent is essential to business growth and success, but there is more at stake than simply finding someone with the right skills. Small business owners and HR leaders must ensure they ask the right—and legally compliant—questions. Failing to do so can lead to serious reputational risks and even escalate matters to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) or labour court, with potentially costly consequences. By implementing structured, compliant interview practices, you can hire the right people, build a positive company culture, and mitigate risks to your organisation.
“Is Executive Coaching right for me?”
❓ Question: "How do I know if executive coaching is right for me?"
This is a common question that I get asked by people who are considering executive coaching with me.
💭 Answer: after a thorough consultation to gauge my client's needs and goals, my typical answer is…
"If you are truly determined and driven to change your situation and ready to take (maybe different) action, then my coaching is right for you."
Managing Challenging Managers: a Constant Challenge for HR Leaders
The effectiveness of HR leaders is deeply intertwined with the performance of managers. This is reality for all if not most HR Leaders. Poor-performing managers introduce a host of challenges that ripple through HR operations and impede the strategic goals of the organisation. To navigate these challenges successfully, it is essential to address both the symptoms and the root causes of underperformance.
Executive Coaching: The What | The Who | The How
High achievers are typically ambitious individuals who strive for excellence in their careers. Yet, this relentless drive can sometimes push them towards burnout. Are you fully realising your leadership potential, or is the weight of responsibility overwhelming? Are you overwhelmed by a multitude of responsibilities, neglecting your own needs? By mastering the art of delegation, you could elevate your team's performance while dedicating yourself to more exciting and meaningful work.
What is Emotional Intelligence in Leadership?
Great leadership is rooted in the skillful use of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence s about working with people, interacting with them, motivating them and managing conflict (including with the self). These are some of the elements of people management, regardless of formal leadership titles (supervisor, manager, director etc.) or informal leadership titles (coordinator, administrator, QA etc.).
Navigating interview questions: what you need to know as a small business owner
"What a lovely and unusual name?”
“Where are you from?"
Questions like these, though innocent in intent, could have serious consequences during interviews. Such well-meaning inquiries might unexpectedly result in a visit to the Workplace Relations Commission (Labour court)
Are you a Leader or a Manager?
Do you identify more as a leader or a manager? How do those around you perceive your role—do they see you as a leader or a manager? Exploring the difference between the two could be pivotal in shaping your approach to success.
