6 Signs You Are A Natural Leader - Or Not 🤔


Hi there,

If you're a manager looking to get ahead, maybe promoted to the next level, then knowing this is going to help you.

This week I’m focusing on the real difference between management and leadership, and how to spot if you're already showing natural leadership traits.

In my work, I often see very effective managers but who are lacking a leadership spark.

I’ve been thinking about what makes the difference and I've identified 6 clear signs that show you're already developing as a leader:

You're a Proactive Problem Solver: You don't just see problems - you actively seek solutions without waiting for permission. You stay calm under pressure and know how to navigate across teams to get things done.

You Genuinely Care About Others' Growth: You find joy in others' success and naturally take on a mentoring role, even if it's not officially part of your job description.

You're a Great Listener: People feel truly heard when talking to you. You ask thoughtful questions and remember important details that help connect ideas and frame problems well.

You Build Trust Easily: Your consistency in words and actions makes people naturally confide in you. You maintain confidentiality and stay above office politics.

You're Resilient in Face of Setbacks: You view challenges as learning opportunities and maintain optimism during difficult times, inspiring others to do the same.

You Create Systems That Support Leadership: You understand the importance of managing your time effectively and creating space for strategic thinking and team development.

Here's the thing - these traits aren't just natural gifts. They're skills and mindsets that can be developed with the right focus and practice.

I've seen countless professionals transform from skilled managers into inspiring leaders by consciously working on these areas.

Want to know more about if you are already showing these signs and learn practical strategies to develop them? This week’s video 👆breaks down each trait and provides actionable steps you can start implementing today, so watch it to discover where you already shine as a leader and which areas you might want to focus on developing next.

Remember, leadership isn't about your title - it's about your impact. And you're probably already leading in ways you haven't even realised.

That's it for this week, if you have any questions let me know by replying to this email.

Best,

Helen

​

Want to work together?

  1. ​Manager OS Course - Reclaim Your Time & Accelerate Your Career with Manager OS - A Proven System to Help Managers Lead with Confidence & Ease
  2. Work with me 1:1 - Book a coaching session​
  3. ​The Leadership Vault: Your Private Access to Every Issue. Every strategy, tip, and lesson shared in past newsletters—now available in one place. Stay ahead, stay informed, and lead smarter.
  4. ​Visit my website to find out more.

​

​

Leadership Accelerator Newsletter

Helping ambitious managers reclaim their time and be exceptional leaders. Weekly advice, how-tos and latest thinking to get you ahead.

Read more from Leadership Accelerator Newsletter

Hi there! Let's be honest — most meetings are either too long, too vague, or too rushed. And even the best-intentioned leaders find themselves winging it. But the way you run a meeting shapes how people see you as a leader. In this week's video, I have broken down three small leadership habits that transform how you show up in meetings — and they're simple enough to try this week. 1. Schedule your thinking time Most of us know we should prepare — but few of us protect time to do it. The key...

Hi there, You know when you are flat out with work, and someone suddenly stops you to ask you a question... You say, “I’m just really busy right now.” Totally normal, right? I know, you are in back-to-back with meetings, your inbox is overflowing, and you’re juggling more than ever. However you have a problem… “I’m busy” is quietly damaging your leadership. It doesn’t sound strategic — it sounds reactive. When your team or peers hear it, they often interpret is as: They’re not important...

Hi there You’re busy. You’re setting goals, running meetings, chasing deadlines… but somehow, are your team still isn’t hitting targets? The problem isn’t effort—it’s that most managers miss one critical step that high-performing teams use. The best teams don’t work harder—they plan smarter. This is something I’ve seen time and time again: Managers and leaders not giving themselves time to stop and plan and a result spend too much time in reactive mode responding to events. My guesstimate is...