The Leadership Odyssey
Where am I on my journey to becoming a better leader?
Leaders often rise to the top thanks to a hands-on, directive approach. Paradoxically — once they reach executive level — they are expected to empower their teams using a more people-centric leadership style. This requires them to adopt skills such as listening, empathy, collaboration and culture-shaping. Leaders successfully making this shift undertake a three-stage adaptation journey including the Departure, the Voyage and the Return.
The Leadership Odyssey is a journey of transformation. For those undertaking it, self-awareness is key. By understanding where you are in the journey, you can avoid the common pitfalls and enhance your leadership.
start THE QUIZ
I tend to go into meetings with a specific outcome in mind
and push hard to get that outcome, even if others disagree.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
question 1
/5
question 2
/5
I have heard feedback from colleagues or in my review that my style sometimes discourages others from suggesting new ideas or sharing information with me.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
The Departure
You are on
The voyage
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
read the leadership odyssey
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser, a mentor or a coach —
who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
Retake the quiz
The Return
question 3
/5
I am working on developing a new leadership style but tend to fall back into old habits when deadlines are tight or I’m feeling stressed.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
question 4
/5
I regularly seek out feedback and support about my behavior toward others from colleagues or a coach.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
question 5
/5
I am able to shift my leadership style based on the requirements of specific contexts and people.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
TIPS FOR YOU
The journey almost invariably involves setbacks. Here are some tips to help you progress.
Identify a strength that you want to develop and experiment with using it in different settings.
Create space for learning: set aside time for self-evaluation on a daily basis and remember to occasionally pause to look at the bigger picture.
When you ask for and receive feedback, be prepared to follow up on it.
The Voyage
You are on
At the Voyage stage, you learn from your successes and failures as a direct result of iterative rounds of practice and feedback. As you adopt new behaviors, you won't immediately excel at them, and it will take time for you to fully grasp their potential. However, by focusing on small wins, you will find that your motivation no longer stems from necessity (i.e., needing to be a better communicator). You’re now thinking of this adaptation journey as a means to define a new identity for yourself as a leader.
TIPS FOR YOU
Sticking to new habits and skills requires commitment. Here are some ways you can remain on the right path
Understand that there’s no “best” leadership style. You will always need to exercise judgment about when to be more directive or more enabling.
Regularly find time for reflection. This strategy will allow you to recognize patterns and issues, analyze them and respond accordingly.
Find opportunities to take on temporary assignments or side projects to gain new perspectives.
The Return
You are on
At the Return stage, you have become more discerning about how to act across different situations. This is a clear sign that you have internalized a more empowering leadership style. Plus, you play an active role in culture-shaping within your organization, meaning you now implement measures to ensure that processes support objectives. Leaders who reach the Return stage often have a desire to share and amplify their learning by helping others embark on their own journeys.
the departure
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
Retake the quiz
read the leadership odyssey
the departure
The voyage
HOME
Are you at the the
or the stage?
Departure, Voyage
Return
HOME
HOME
Voyage
HOME
Read about the other stages:
Read about the other stages:
Read about the other stages:
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
go back
go back
go back
go back
question 1
/5
I tend to go into meetings with a specific outcome in mind and push hard to get that outcome, even if others disagree.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
HOME
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
go back
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
go back
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
go back
/5
/5
The Departure
You are on
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
Read about the other stages:
The voyage
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate
the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser,
a mentor or a coach — who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
close
The Departure
You are on
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
Read about the other stages:
The voyage
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate
the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser,
a mentor or a coach — who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
close
- You are here
- You are here
TIPS FOR YOU
The journey almost invariably involves setbacks. Here are some tips to help you progress.
Identify a strength that you want to develop and experiment with using it in different settings.
Create space for learning: set aside time for self-evaluation on a daily basis and remember to occasionally pause to look at the bigger picture.
When you ask for and receive feedback, be prepared to follow up on it.
Retake the quiz
HOME
The Voyage
Read about the other stages:
At the Voyage stage, you learn from your successes and failures as a direct result of iterative rounds of practice and feedback. As you adopt new behaviors, you won't immediately excel at them, and it will take time for you to fully grasp their potential. However, by focusing on small wins, you will find that your motivation no longer stems from necessity (i.e., needing to be a better communicator). You’re now thinking of this adaptation journey as a means to define a new identity for yourself as a leader.
the departure - you are here
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
- You are here
TIPS FOR YOU
Sticking to new habits and skills requires commitment. Here are some ways you can remain on the right path
Understand that there’s no “best” leadership style. You will always need to exercise judgment about when to be more directive or more enabling.
Regularly find time for reflection. This strategy will allow you to recognize patterns and issues, analyze them and respond accordingly.
Find opportunities to take on temporary assignments or side projects to gain new perspectives.
Retake the quiz
HOME
The Return
At the Return stage, you have become more discerning about how to act across different situations. This is a clear sign that you have internalized a more empowering leadership style. Plus, you play an active role in culture-shaping within your organization, meaning you now implement measures to ensure that processes support objectives. Leaders who reach the Return stage often have a desire to share and amplify their learning by helping others embark on their own journeys.
Read about the other stages:
the departure - you are here
The voyage
read the leadership odyssey
- You are here
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser, a mentor or a coach —
who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
Retake the quiz
HOME
The Departure
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
Read about the other stages:
The voyage - you are here
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
TIPS FOR YOU
Sticking to new habits and skills requires commitment. Here are some ways you can remain on the right path
Understand that there’s no “best” leadership style. You will always need to exercise judgment about when to be more directive or more enabling.
Regularly find time for reflection. This strategy will allow you to recognize patterns and issues, analyze them and respond accordingly.
Find opportunities to take on temporary assignments or side projects to gain new perspectives.
Retake the quiz
HOME
The Return
At the Return stage, you have become more discerning about how to act across different situations. This is a clear sign that you have internalized a more empowering leadership style. Plus, you play an active role in culture-shaping within your organization, meaning you now implement measures to ensure that processes support objectives. Leaders who reach the Return stage often have a desire to share and amplify their learning by helping others embark on their own journeys.
Read about the other stages:
the departure
The voyage - you are here
read the leadership odyssey
TIPS FOR YOU
The journey almost invariably involves setbacks. Here are some tips to help you progress.
Identify a strength that you want to develop and experiment with using it in different settings.
Create space for learning: set aside time for self-evaluation on a daily basis and remember to occasionally pause to look at the bigger picture.
When you ask for and receive feedback, be prepared to follow up on it.
Retake the quiz
HOME
The Voyage
Read about the other stages:
At the Voyage stage, you learn from your successes and failures as a direct result of iterative rounds of practice and feedback. As you adopt new behaviors, you won't immediately excel at them, and it will take time for you to fully grasp their potential. However, by focusing on small wins, you will find that your motivation no longer stems from necessity (i.e., needing to be a better communicator). You’re now thinking of this adaptation journey as a means to define a new identity for yourself as a leader.
the departure
The Return - you are here
read the leadership odyssey
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser, a mentor or a coach —
who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
Retake the quiz
HOME
The Departure
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
Read about the other stages:
The voyage
The Return - you are here
read the leadership odyssey
The Voyage
At the Voyage stage, you learn from your successes and failures as a direct result of iterative rounds of practice and feedback. As you adopt new behaviors, you won't immediately excel at them, and it will take time for you to fully grasp their potential. However, by focusing on small wins, you will find that your motivation no longer stems from necessity (i.e., needing to be a better communicator). You’re now thinking of this adaptation journey as a means to define a new identity for yourself as a leader.
Read about the other stages:
The departure
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate
the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser,
a mentor or a coach — who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
close
The Return
At the Return stage, you have become more discerning about how to act across different situations. This is a clear sign that you have internalized a more empowering leadership style. Plus, you play an active role in culture-shaping within your organization, meaning you now implement measures to ensure that processes support objectives. Leaders who reach the Return stage often have a desire to share and amplify their learning by helping others embark on their own journeys.
Read about the other stages:
The Departure
The Voyage
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Sticking to new habits and skills requires commitment. Here are some ways you can remain on the right path
Understand that there’s no “best” leadership style. You will always need to exercise judgment about when to be more directive or more enabling.
Regularly find time for reflection. This strategy will allow you to recognize patterns and issues, analyze them and respond accordingly.
Find opportunities to take on temporary assignments or side projects to gain new perspectives.
close
The Departure
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
Read about the other stages:
The voyage
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate
the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser,
a mentor or a coach — who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
close
The Return
At the Return stage, you have become more discerning about how to act across different situations. This is a clear sign that you have internalized a more empowering leadership style. Plus, you play an active role in culture-shaping within your organization, meaning you now implement measures to ensure that processes support objectives. Leaders who reach the Return stage often have a desire to share and amplify their learning by helping others embark on their own journeys.
Read about the other stages:
The Departure
The Voyage
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Sticking to new habits and skills requires commitment. Here are some ways you can remain on the right path
Understand that there’s no “best” leadership style. You will always need to exercise judgment about when to be more directive or more enabling.
Regularly find time for reflection. This strategy will allow you to recognize patterns and issues, analyze them and respond accordingly.
Find opportunities to take on temporary assignments or side projects to gain new perspectives.
close
The Voyage
At the Voyage stage, you learn from your successes and failures as a direct result of iterative rounds of practice and feedback. As you adopt new behaviors, you won't immediately excel at them, and it will take time for you to fully grasp their potential. However, by focusing on small wins, you will find that your motivation no longer stems from necessity (i.e., needing to be a better communicator). You’re now thinking of this adaptation journey as a means to define a new identity for yourself as a leader.
Read about the other stages:
The departure
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate
the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser,
a mentor or a coach — who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
close
The Departure
Because decision-making has become decentralized in many corporations, you need to work effectively with people in small groups, across networks and across the organization. To do so, you need to develop a range of skills to empower and engage people. At the Departure stage, you recognize the need for a change and are deliberately starting to adapt your way of working.
Read about the other stages:
The voyage
The Return
read the leadership odyssey
Retake the quiz
HOME
TIPS FOR YOU
Many leaders underestimate
the extent of change required.
Here are some simple ways to start:
Find a trusted partner — an adviser,
a mentor or a coach — who can offer feedback and ideas for improvement.
Seek feedback from your employees and colleagues about how your leadership style is viewed to understand where you may have opportunity to develop.
Try emulating the style of leaders with more developed people skills and see how others respond to those behaviors and whether they help you achieve different results.
close
read the leadership odyssey
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