On being a young leader with Katrin Jahns

Being a young leader poses some unique challenges! Katrin Jahns, Head of Press & Blogger Relations at online crafting school Makerist, shares advice on being real and focusing that is relevant for all leaders, but especially younger ones like her.

Listen to the episode right here at the top of the page and via iTunes or Soundcloud. I’ve jotted down all key takeaways for you below so you don’t need to scribble along as you listen. And don’t forget to download the leadership checklist featuring Katrin’s key insights at the very end!

Katrin Jahns (28) has been Head of Press & Blogger Relations in the creative Berlin start-up Makerist since 2013 and is currently leading two employees. In 2016, she was selected as one of the “30under30” young professionals by PR Report. Before working in press and content creation, she volunteered in the online editorial team of Cosmopolitan, worked as a freelance journalist for BILD, and completed a degree in cultural and literary sciences. When she isn’t speaking to the press, Katrin plays the Ukulele and MIDI keyboard, collects book quotes, builds 60s playlists, and reads an out of scale amount of graphic novels.

Learn more about Katrin: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

People will follow you because – not in spite of – you being your own badass self. Katrin’s first boss certainly did, and that made him all the more memorable for her.

How you can make yourself memorable:

• Be authentic: Don’t compromise who you are for what you think a leader “should” look or act like.
• Speak your mind: Sharing your honest opinion also makes others feel comfortable to share theirs.
• Have a personality: Having a character helps you stay in people’s mind after all.
• Believe in yourself: Don’t be afraid to show off your accomplishments and stand out.

Don’t wait to be the real you once you’re a leader. Bring all of you to work from day one.

How you can be the real you at work:

• Be transparent: And yes, that also means being honest about the not-so-great-things.
• Practice empathy: Make it a two-way street. If you’re empathetic with others, they will also have more empathy for you.
• Let your team be a part of your journey: It’s ok for your team to see you grow and evolve as a leader. By opening up to them, you allow for honest feedback.

As with 99.9% things in life, every amazing opportunity has its challenging side. Katrin got real about it not having been easy to take the leap into a leadership role but how she could not let fear win.

How you can find the sweet spot between nerves and fear:

• Don’t let fear win: What’s the worst that can happen? Ask yourself that before backing off from something because of fear.
• Be honest: Sharing with your team how you feel will help you get their support.
• Don’t get too comfortable: Nerves keep you on your toes and learning. Complacency is the enemy of progress, as they say.

Having a team that is constantly growing and evolving, one where mutual trust exists, which interacts with the rest of the company, and with which she connects with beyond work is what makes Katrin feel accomplished.

How you can set up your team for success:

• Put things in perspective: Show your team the bigger mission behind what you do.
• Avoid Silo mentality: Foster collaboration between your team and others to bring in fresh perspectives.
• Be a cheerleader: Motivate your team! Spot their talents & support them in leveraging them.
• Provide focus & knowledge: Get your team to concentrate on the important tasks and give them the knowledge to succeed at them.