What is a Leadership Philosophy?
Your leadership philosophy is a state of mind, but it should also be a written statement, something you can refer to when you need to remind yourself about your leadership goals.
Anytime you’re in a difficult position, you can keep your philosophy close to you as a reminder of what’s most important.
You should do this whether you manage a team of 100 people or whether you’re a parent, trying to lead your family into a better future.
After all, leaders come in all forms. You might be a leader of a group of volunteers. Or, you might be a fitness instructor leading your class through a tough workout.
No matter how big or small your role is as a leader, a leadership philosophy can guide your decision making and serve as a reminder of your personal values.
Related: 15 Leadership Principles to Become a Successful Leader
How Do You Write a Leadership Philosophy?
In order to write a leadership philosophy, start by thinking of the personal attributes you value most. Here are a few examples:
- Kindness
- Strength
- Bravery
- Authoritative
- Respectful
- Integrity
- Loyalty
- Hard-working
- Collaborative
- Adventurous
Leadership Philosophy Template
Here is a template you can use to create your own leadership philosophy. It’s like a leadership philosophy generator, if you will. Simply take your time filling in the blanks. To me, leadership means _______, ________, and ________. I believe, as a leader I should _______, _______, and ________ in order to be effective. I will inspire my team to _______, ________, and _______. In myself and in my team members, I value ______, _______, and _________. I will not tolerate _________ from myself or those I lead. My ultimate goal as a leader is ______________. Keep in mind, this shouldn’t be something you complete in 10 minutes. In order for it to be truly effective, really take the time to think about your values and your team. You can even include bullet points if that helps you. Really, there is no right or wrong way to do this. As mentioned previously, a leadership philosophy is personal and unique to each individual. So, write down what feels right for you.
Personal Leadership Philosophy Example
I thought it might be helpful to include a leadership philosophy example because I know some people struggle with writing a leadership philosophy statement. That way you can see what it looks like if you expand the template above and incorporate some of your own personal goals and beliefs. To me leadership means loyalty, courage, and respect for all human beings. I believe as a leader I should be loyal to my mission and to my team. I will take responsibility if I don’t communicate with my team effectively. If someone on my team makes a mistake, it is my mistake. I believe I should set an example, communicate clearly, and exhibit a strong work ethic in order to be effective. My goal is to inspire my team to have faith in our mission. I will help them by inspiring them and showing them what it means to do their best. My goal is to guide them, to encourage them to fulfill their greatest potential, and be someone they can come to if they have a problem or complaint. In my team members and myself, I value honesty, work ethic, loyalty, and respect. I strive to be a leader who is approachable. My goal is to lead with strength, not instill fear. At the same time, I will not tolerate lying or laziness from those I lead or myself. My ultimate goal as a leader is to leave a legacy, to inspire those I lead to better their lives and the lives of their families, and to have a positive impact on my workplace and on the world.
Why is a Leadership Philosophy Important?
Having a leadership philosophy like this is important because it helps keep your values in perspective. If you respect other people in your workplace or at home, then they will respect you. This will remain true regardless of how high up you go or how much influence you eventually have. A leadership philosophy also reminds you of what you won’t tolerate both in yourself and in your team. So, if one of your team members, who you might like as a person, is not showing a strong work-ethic, you can refer to your leadership philosophy. If your philosophy statement says you don’t tolerate laziness, that gives you permission to correct behaviors without feeling like a bad person or a bad leader. Essentially, having that philosophy written down reminds you that you have to hold yourself to a certain standard in order to inspire everyone else to reach high standards too. It also reminds you that you have certain values, and if the team and you don’t exude those values, you can’t reach your goals.
What is Your Definition of Leadership?
At the end of the day, your leadership philosophy demonstrates your own personal definition of leadership. And, that’s going to be different for everyone. The way we lead can impact many, many people, so it’s important to take the time and define what that looks like. Again, there is no right or wrong way to write a leadership philosophy statement. But, having one on hand can be helpful in reminding you of what really matters as you navigate both your work and home life.
Learn More About Developing Your Leadership Philosophy
Consider enrolling in a leadership philosophy development course from a professional service like LinkedIn Learning. To gain the trust of your team and to see what makes a good leader, you must articulate who you are, what you stand for, and why you’re excited to lead them. In this LinkedIn Learning course, author and executive leadership coach Mike Figliuolo walks you through the process of distilling your leadership philosophy down to cover the critical aspects of leadership. → Start your LinkedIn Learning course on leadership philosophy by clicking here.
