3 TIMELESS TRUTHS OF LEADERSHIP

Hello and welcome back!  Let’s talk about leadership.  In this post pandemic world, there’s a lot that is new and different but today, I’m dishing on what I believe remains unchanged. As our trusted leadership expert, Brenè Brown, reminds us: A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.  If you are reading this, you are likely a leader to someone(s) or something(s) in your world.  I haven’t talked to anyone who hasn’t been impacted in some way by the pandemic, who hasn’t had to pivot and expand to accommodate the needs of their consumers, clients, company, or loved ones.  A couple episodes back on the BWell Podcast, Matt and I reflect and dig into answering the question: What is STILL true about leadership?  If you missed the episode and want a deeper dive, you can listen to the whole conversation here.

 

RELATIONSHIPS:  Then, now, and forever--it’s all about relationships.  Business Harvard Review reported that post pandemic, 81% of people want to work from home in some capacity.  Working on our relationships is more important than ever and requires even more intention and creativity.  Discovering new ways to collaborate and meaningfully connect with people has invited us to slow down and be more thoughtful, ask more questions. As a leader, I believe we are responsible for modeling the openness and vulnerability required in building trust, a fundamental component in a relationship. Building trust takes time and is nuanced and dynamic between two people. Trust isn't built in grandiose gesture but rather in granular moments of connection we have with one another.  Leaders make these connections a priority.

 

DEPENDABILITY:  Be someone they can count on.  Dependability is doing what you say you will do and builds trust in a relationship.  Remember the adage—under promise and over deliver?  Yep, still true.  How do you practice dependability?  Be someone you can count on.  Live congruently, be who you say you are, do what you say you will do, keep your own promises to yourself—this will allow you to become someone other people can count on too.  And, where do you turn when you feel untethered?  Personal values.  Get crystal clear on your core set of values, they will be what you depend on when everything else feels uncertain.  Values are a filter to help us create clarity, regardless of the challenge or dilemma in front of you they will guide you to your next best decision.

 

COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH.  Do you expect of yourself what you ask of those you lead?  Our relationship to receiving feedback can be a strong indicator of our true commitment to growth.  Does unfavorable feedback take you down and out or do you receive the invitation as an opportunity to learn and grow?  Growth requires surrendering to ego and self, a leaning in and letting go, beyond the edge of comfortable.  The commitment part of growth is continuing to renegotiate the limits of our edges over and over (forever and ever). We will experience unexpected twist and turns on our leadership journey.  Course correction begins with a commitment to growth and the courage to listen instead of armoring up in defense.  Outcomes are greatly influenced by a willingness to be flexible with the process while staying rooted in personal values.  

 

Sometimes, the more difficult a challenge the simpler the solution.  A return to focusing on the fundamentals.  Trust yourself.  What needs your attention most this week?  Where are you being called to circle back and double down?   Stay open, brave, and on-purpose.