Karren Brady’s career advice on being a better leader to your team

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions and meets an inspirational CEO.

Here she gives a reader advice on being a better leader to her team.

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Q) My boss is very outgoing and a big personality in our office, whereas I am more introverted and quiet.

One of the feedback points she gave me in my appraisal a few months ago was that I need to be more of a leader to the rest of my team, who I directly line manage.

I feel like I’m quite a good manager and always try to listen and guide my less-experienced colleagues, but I don’t shout about doing so from the rooftops, so it feels like what I do isn’t being recognised.

I don’t want to be someone I’m not, but I also want to continue to grow and become a better manager.

Do you have any advice?

Alice, via email

A) There are many different styles of leadership, and all can be equally as successful.

You should ask your manager exactly what she means by being “more of a leader”.

You can’t develop those skills without knowing what she specifically means and what she expects from you.

You don’t have to adopt her extroverted style, but you do need to find a way to show her you are successfully leading your team in a manner she will recognise.

So own your successes, talk about them and take credit for your work.

You also need to learn what your team need from you, and how you can best manage them individually as well as together.

It could be that you are great in day-to-day leadership, but you need to gain more strategic skills, looking at the longer-term successes.

If you need help to develop your leadership style, talk to your HR manager about courses or coaching.

It’s great to be receptive and willing to grow, as you’ll become an overall better manager for it, inspiring your team and leading them to success.

• Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.