The beginning of all things is you. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an artist, a tech enthusiast, or even a multi-passionate maverick, like me, there's something extraordinary that you bring to the table. It's time to take a personal journey and inventory to look at your skills, experiences, passions, and quirks. Lay it all out. This isn’t just about what you like or what you’re good at. It’s about who you are at your core—your values, your beliefs, and your purpose. This isn't your typical cookie-cutter personality test; it's a candid introspective journey. Be brutally honest with yourself, as that's the only way you can harness your unique power.

One of the best ways to assess and know ourselves is by using combinations of self-assessment tools, at different stages of our life and career growth. My first assessment was DISC when I was 16 years ago! Over the years, I have done and accumulated many assessment reports: DISC, MBTI, PPA, Cognitive Numerical Reasoning, Numbers Reasoning, Spatial Ability, 360 Feedbacks, Leadership assessment including HR Chally, SHL, Assessment Centre, Hogan and more. And I kept them all in a file! Once in a while, I will review these reports and look at areas of strengths I might have forgotten, and areas I can start working on now, as my role, my life-state, my perspectives and maturity (hopefully) have changed. To become a better me continuously.

This is also about your personal branding. I’m the son of a nurse which obviously speaks to my love of nursing and healthcare but also use the hashtag #heartleader. The reason for this is it speaks to my commitment to lead with heart. We can transform organizations when we lead with a human-centered approach.

Leadership is communicating and passing on a vision. Understanding your communication and leadership style is helped by tools and frameworks, introspection but equally from the feedback from the different stakeholders we work with on a daily basis. Our personal story and our past and present experiences shapes us in who we are and how we lead.

Using tools and assessments to get a deeper understanding of yourself and your preferences is one part of starting to find your leadership niche. But, no one knows your passion and interests better than you. Taking time to do some self-reflection on what kind of work brings you joy, causes you to loose track of time, and that you'd do for free can help you pinpoint your niche. Marcus Buckingham talks about these as finding our red threads in his book Love + Work.

Once you've done a deep dive into your inner being, it's time to scan the horizon. See what's out there. Your options might be as wide as the ocean or as specific as a puddle, and that's okay. Find the places where your talents and passions intersect with opportunities. Don’t be afraid to venture into uncharted territories. It's in the exploration phase that the magic often happens, where you find the dragons you need to kiss. In exploring, you'll find new connections, spark fresh ideas, and perhaps even stumble-upon hidden gems that could be your potential niche.

Being open to other perspectives are important, whether or not they align with your vision. Both sides of the coin will help you define your leadership style. Being able to share experiences with like minded people will help you evolve. Having someone question your approach or perspective can also be beneficial since we work with people with different perspectives on life and inclusion is an important part of leadership.

From my experience, finding your leadership niche requires a combination of exploration and self-reflection. Start by researching various industries, organizations, teams, and projects that resonate with your vision and mission. Connect with other leaders, mentors, and peers who share your interests and values, and absorb their wisdom. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different leadership styles and challenges to discover what truly brings out your best and inspires your followers. Trust me, by exploring your options and learning from others, you'll find your unique leadership niche that sets you apart.

This is great conversation-The clearer I am of who I am and clearer I am of my purpose for being on the planet in this moment of time the less effort I have to put into achieving my goals. When I am operating within my zone of genius- I feel empowered to make decisions with the loving support of Universal Intelligence

Being open to other perspectives are important, whether or not they align with your vision. Both sides of the coin will help you define your leadership style. Being able to share experiences with like minded people will help you evolve. Having someone question your approach or perspective can also be beneficial since we work with people with different perspectives on life and inclusion is an important part of leadership.

In my experience, defining your niche is the hardest part of the journey. It can be tricky, but remember, you're not carving this definition into stone. Niches evolve as you do. The important thing is to have a clear, focused starting point. Your niche isn't just what you do—it's how and why you do it. It's the unique flavor you bring to the mix, the irreplicable twist you put on a service, product, or craft. It's your personal brand of disruption.

Finding my niche wasn't actually through fancy diagraming. Instead, when I decided to retire from my corporate job, 75%ish of people said, "I'll miss your authentic leadership." While it wasn't surprising to be called 'authentic', I hadn't been pinned with that badge before. I then reflected and reverse engineered to understand not only what made me an authentic leader and how that helped others, but also how it helped ME - my company, career, everything. What word do people often use to describe you as a leader? What is it about that word that you're passionate about? What do people get wrong about that word/leadership style? What TANGIBLE things can others do to be that same kind of leader? Share the answers cause that's your niche!

In finding the right niche as much as it is important to have something to say and make impact to the specific group, I realised that is crucial to genuinely listen and be curious of what this specific group needs, beyond the usual pain points and challenges. So, your deep interest in the topics must be supplemented with the even deeper interest in the cohort that deals with it. When they are felt and seen they are in essence, ready to be led.

Just as we continually strive to better ourselves through self-reflection, learning, and resilience, effective leaders evolve through experiences, gained insights skills. I believe that our niche evolves together with combination of personal growth, and the industry we're working in.

Defining your niche is finding your focus, but does not happen overnight. Knowing your impact through shared values and passion points is a strength and helps give you direction.

Once you've found your unique niche, let the world know. You've kissed the dragon; now roar with it. Build your narrative. Craft your story in a way that's authentic and transparent—highlight what sets you apart. Remember, your communication isn't about impressing people—it's about connecting with those who resonate with your niche, your vision. Speak with clarity and passion. Don’t shy away from showing your enthusiasm for your niche. Let that passion shine through in everything you say and do.

One thing I have found helpful is to always explain things through to an ending. Example: we do A because we want to know B and C so we know how to get to D.

Totally agree Anne! I use this strategy both to train and to motivate our college student Grant Research and Writing and Sports Ambassador intern team. I want them to understand the process and the relevance of each step so they can apply it in their future careers. It also helps keep them motivated when they can see the impact of their work on the organization.

Finding your leadership niche goes beyond personal discovery; it's crucial to communicate it effectively. Once you've defined your niche, confidently convey it through various channels like your resume, LinkedIn profile, and social media. Additionally, actively engage in relevant communities and events to build connections, collaborate, and learn from other leaders within your niche. Remember, effective communication not only establishes your credibility but also helps you showcase your expertise and attract opportunities aligned with your niche.

It can often take time to establish your credibility and line yourself up for the leadership opportunity you want but you need to be brave and tell people about your interest in your niche, even before you are ready to lead it. Tell people you are looking to build on your existing experience, that way people are more likely to involve you in stepping stone opportunities. Tell people what you eventually hope to achieve, why you are so committed and the benefits it will bring to stakeholders. Your vision.

Your niche isn't a one-and-done deal. It’s a living, breathing entity that needs nurturing and development. It will grow and evolve as you do, and this is where the fun really begins. Keep learning, keep refining, and keep pushing boundaries. This is your arena, and you're here to change the game. Innovate, disrupt, transform. Make mistakes and learn from them. Embrace the process as much as the outcome.

You need a development plan for your leadership niche. Not just what will land you the role you seek but what will keep you growing. Set yourself leadership objectives and review progress quarterly. Use the tried and tested approach of what has gone well, what was more challenging, what lessons have I learned to help me be a better leader next quarter. That way you won’t drift or become complacent, but go from strength to strength.

Enjoy the ride. You've charted your unique course, now relish the journey. There's nothing quite like the thrill of doing what you love, in a way only you can do it. Success isn’t just about the destination, it’s about the journey—the dragons you kiss, the fires you start, and the lives you touch. So, own your niche. Celebrate it. Live it. Love it.

Take time to reflect on what you are enjoying in your role. A monthly brainstorm of the 10 best things that I enabled is confidence boosting. Looking at what your team have achieved is a great way of reassuring yourself that your investment is worthwhile because you are delivering more than you could on your own. Knowing you have spent your precious time well is super satisfying.

In my experience, leadership transcends any specific niche. As a leader, you may not possess expertise in every area, but true leadership isn't about knowing everything; it's about effectively engaging with individuals who possess diverse knowledge and skills, and guiding their expertise towards a common objective. While identifying a niche can aid in personal branding, what truly matters is your ability to authentically lead a team, fostering their growth while collectively working towards shared goals.