It’s hard to believe it has been a whole year since I launched my leadership newsletter! Each month I encounter an obstacle to present a topic people will resonate with and find value in.

I also struggle with a time management obstacle as I balance other activities that often seem more important in my quest to build a successful coaching practice. Like you, I often encounter obstacles. As I reflect over my journey to become an effective leader, I recognize that one of the main attributes of my success is my ability to overcome obstacles.

Believing you can accomplish anything you set your mind to will create the strength you need to work through any obstacles that attempt to deter you from your goals. I hope each of you create this type of mindset as you identify and execute the steps that will lead to the achievement of your goals.

Remember, as a leader you are evaluated on results, not effort. What obstacles are in the way to prevent you from accomplishing your year end goals? Please give me a call if you would like to discuss ideas on how you can ensure you end the year on a successful note.

Leaders recognize that their main responsibility is to get results. Effective leaders understand that to get the desired results they must overcome all obstacles. The ability to identify and resolve obstacles places effective leader’s miles ahead of their competition. Let’s discuss three typical areas effective leaders must learn to overcome during their leadership journey.

1. Overcoming the Odds — effective leaders let nothing and no one deter them from using their skills and talents to reach their desired career goals. Overcoming barriers requires drive and focus. First and foremost, you must have confidence in yourself.

   Confidence is not cockiness. Confidence means believing in yourself to the degree that you remain focused on achieving success despite the odds. Effective leaders recognize obstacles as an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities. Effective leaders communicate in a manner that adds tangible insight on how an organization can succeed.

   Their effectiveness is supported by a can-do attitude. Effective leaders recognize that establishing a track record of succeeding despite the obstacles is what will propel them to the executive suite. Concentrating on the requirements for success allows effective leaders to remain focused on the goal. What obstacles have you identified and overcome recently in your quest to be an effective leader?

2. Overcoming Negativity — too often as leaders ride the ever changing road to success, they encounter negative people who never have a good word to say. These people are always complaining about something. They are never happy with the direction the organization, department, or team takes no matter how hard people try to engage them in the process.

   As a result, they spend time trying to convince everyone they run into that the sky is falling. Even when things within the organization are at their bleakest, effective leaders realize that there is no value in focusing on the negative aspects of the job or situation. Instead, effective leaders spend their time determining how to make a bad situation better.

   Effective team leaders do not try to become the team cheerleader (unless that is just your type of personality). When others are being negative, effective leaders don’t join in no matter how big the temptation may be. They simply stay focused on what really matters most. What outlets have you created for escape when the environment turns negative?

3. Overcoming Non Supportive Bosses — effective leaders do not allow non supportive bosses to keep them from reaching their career goals. Bosses come and go. Sometimes you get a good one and sometimes you get a non supportive one. It is truly the luck of the draw which one has no control over.

   Effective leaders are always working on improving their competencies no matter who the boss is. They realize that no matter who they report to, it is up to them to identify and execute their own career goals. Effective leaders don’t squander time.

   They know that if they just continue to perform, they will be able to overcome all obstacles. The non supportive boss wins only when the leader loses their effectiveness. When an effective leader reports to a non supportive boss, you will find them spending their time being the best leader possible under the circumstances.

   Sometimes to do this they will need to stay under the radar. It may be that they are not able to be as visible as they like because they lack the support. To offset the lack of a supportive boss, effective leaders network, network, network. The objective is to ensure that other leaders who can help you meet your career objectives are aware of the value you bring.

What type of leader do you want to be? Partnering with a coach is a proven way to accelerate your results. If you are ready to identify and overcome the obstacles that have prevented you from achieving your ultimate career achievement, give me a call for a complimentary coaching discussion.

Deborah Chambers Chima is passionate about assisting her clients with achieving their professional goals. Prior to launching her consulting and coaching firm, she achieved an award winning, twenty four year tenure in corporate management in the retail industry, in both international and domestic markets. Her clients appreciate her attention to detail and her desire to assist others in improving their productivity.

To learn more about Deborah, please visit her website at www.chambersconsult.com.