Great leaders are built, not born. In other words, leadership can be taught and trained.

While it may be easier for people with certain personalities to lead in certain contexts (e.g., an extraverted sales manager), the formula for great leadership isn't one-size-fits-all. But great leadership also doesn't happen by accident. Becoming a stand-out leader requires intentionality and thoughtful reflection.

In this post, we provide a self-reflection and action planning activity to help you become a better leader. So, take out a pen and paper, or something else non-distracting, to take notes with. Once you're ready to reflect, keep reading.

Great leaders are driven by purpose and a commitment to their values, principles, and goals. But many leaders fail to reflect on and revise their "why" statements over time—those clear and succinct statements that help communicate to others why and how they want to lead. Doing so requires asking:

After reflecting on the questions above, try to write some of your own "why" statements to communicate your leadership purpose to your team members.........

© Psychology Today