Unlock Your Natural Doing Style – The Leadership Power You Didn’t Know You Had

Ever noticed how some tasks feel effortless, while others feel like you’re slogging through mud?
It’s not just about your motivation or skill level. It’s about whether you’re working with, or against, your natural doing style.

We all have a natural ‘doing style’, an inner get stuff done instinct that kicks in when there’s a challenge to tackle or a task to complete. Most of us don’t know we have it, but once you understand it, your way of doing becomes clearer.

It’s not just what you do, it’s how you do it. Your doing style shows up in how you solve problems, respond under pressure, plan (or don’t), and how you lead others. And when your leadership role isn’t aligned with this style? That’s when work feels heavier than it should.

What Is Your Natural Doing Style?

Most leadership models focus on what you know (your technical skills) or how you feel (your mindset). But your doing style is different, it’s how you instinctively take action.

It’s your deeply ingrained behavioural driver that kicks in before you even think about it. It’s what guides you when you're under pressure, in problem-solving mode, or taking the lead. And when we don’t play to this strength, leadership becomes harder than it needs to be.

By understanding your doing style you can spend more time in your ‘flow zone’, lead in a way that feels natural and sustainable, avoid unnecessary stress and friction trying to go against your grain.

Here’s how to recognise yours and use it in your leadership role:

• Pay Attention to How You Instinctively Respond: Think back to a recent challenge. What did you do first? Did you jump in and fix it? Step back to analyse? Ask for input or get curious? Your first move reveals a lot about your natural approach.

Try this: Reflect on moments where things felt easy and energising. What kind of tasks or situations were you dealing with? That’s your doing style in action.

• Work With It, Not Against It: You’re not meant to lead like everyone else. We all have our own style.  When we ignore our natural approach and try to copy someone else’s style, you lose authenticity and confidence.  Instead, realise nothing is set in stone.  build your day and your role around what works for you.

Try this: Look at your current task list. What feels heavy or forced? Can you delegate it, do it differently, or collaborate with someone who complements your approach?

Everyone has a different doing style, and that’s a good thing. Leading effectively means recognising those differences, not ironing them out. When you understand how others naturally get things done, you reduce friction, increase trust, and get better results by supporting them to play to their strengths.

Ask your team members for their insights on how they prefer to take action, do they like to dive in, analyse first, follow a structure, or adapt as they go? You’ll uncover useful patterns that can improve how you lead and collaborate.

Know this: You don’t have to change who you are to be a great leader.
You just need to understand how you’re wired to act, and use it purposefully.

Your doing style is already there. It’s already working behind the scenes.
When you learn to lead with it, you bring more energy, clarity and momentum to everything you do.

So, here’s your challenge:
Where are you forcing it? And where are you in flow?
Start paying attention, and let your natural leadership style do the heavy lifting.