Part of being a leader is doing things that make you feel uncomfortable. Maybe you need to raise a tough issue with a direct report, maybe you have to handle negative pushback on a project, or maybe you have to address issues out of your control altogether.
To improve the way you deal with uncomfortable situations, build your emotional courage. Start by thinking of a leadership skill you want to get better at: giving feedback, listening, being direct — whatever you want to grow in. Then practice that skill in a low-risk situation.
For example: Let’s say you want to get better at being direct. The next time there’s a mistake on your phone bill, call customer service and practice being succinct and clear. Notice how you react — Get angry? Backpedal? — and focus on resisting those impulses. These are the same feelings you’ll encounter in higher-risk situations at work, so learn to push through them.
Continue to practice until you feel comfortable and courageous.
Adapted from “To Develop Leadership Skills, Practice in a Low-Risk Environment,” by Peter Bregman