Recently I’ve had headaches watching a leader in my organization destroy his chances at huge success time and time again. Though a great guy, this leader never seems to get over the hump because of some of his detrimental leadership beliefs that continually drive his most talented and loyal workers away. As 21st century leaders in the knowledge worker age, we must step up our game and be better at retaining our most valuable assets. In order to do this, we must eliminate old habits and misguided beliefs and replace them with higher more creative leadership styles that propel us and our teams to success. Below is a list of beliefs that I still see leaders holding on to today which continually hinder their success.
#1 “My team’s job is to make me look good”
There may be some truth to this thought but any leader who acts accordingly or openly expresses this will hurt the motivation of his/her team. People generally want to make people look good who make them look good. Thus as a leader, our number one priority should be making those who follow us look good and then the rest will follow.
#2 “They’ll get over it”
Being a leader does not mean you have to be perfect. However, what you say and what you do is watched and analyzed very closely by those you are leading. Though small careless comments, sporadic mood swings, occasional less than stellar reaction, or an every once in awhile inconsistent action may seem inconsequential to you, it probably means the world to those who you lead and often leaves lasting impressions on them. Believing that people will “get over” your poor performance or insensitive comment is a fallacy. Instead of brushing off such incidents, take the time to apologize. An apology is a powerful tool in the leadership tool belt that should be used often. Sharing a simple and sincere apology, as opposed to having an attitude of “they’ll get over it,” will go a long way in gaining the trust and lasting commitment of those you lead.
#3 “I can do it better”
Usually leaders are leaders because they have personalities and skills that have enabled them to have success. Because of this, it is easy for leaders to take on the responsibilities of those they lead because they think they can do it better. Though often the intention is good, the action is bad because it demonstrates a lack of trust and confidence in your team members. This belief also has the tendency to tie you down and make you more stressed and less effective. This belief also robs your team from valuable learning experiences as well as the fulfillment that comes from overcoming challenges. Thus, don’t take responsibilities away from members that you lead but instead progressively give them more.
#4 “That is the way I learned”
Many leaders fail to inspire or even help their team members along the way because they rationalize that that is the way they learned. Well, just because you as a leader did not have exemplary leaders to help develop and guide you, it does not give you permission to do the same. An effective leader does all he or she can to help their team learn and grow.
#5 “Communication is not that important”
The most important element of any relationship is communication. Without constant communication and feedback from their leader, team members quickly become anxious and feel unimportant. It is imperative that leaders develop a constant and extremely honest and open communication philosophy with those they lead. Without it, team members will never perform their best and will never fully enjoy what they are doing because too little communication leads to a lack of recognition, clarity, support, understanding, trust, importance, respect, and the list could go on and on. A leader can never over communicate!!
#6 “People are easy to replace”
Having to constantly replace people is a waste of money and a waste of time. Though people will be always looking for work, good people are hard to find, yet leaders continue to undervalue their team members and thus continue to fail. As a leader, you need to do all you can to help your team members succeed. And if people are leaving you frequently, it is time to look in the mirror and find out what you as a leader are doing wrong. Good people want to work for good leaders and are NOT easy to replace.
#7 “I’m already a great leader”
Studies prove that people believe they are better leaders than what they actually are based on feedback from those they lead. This misperception often leads leaders into a false sense of security, resulting in stagnant or less than stellar results. Instead, leaders need to be humble and must listen closely to and constantly seek feedback from those they lead. Part of being a great leader is changing and continually striving to be better.
Do any of these unproductive leadership beliefs dance around in your head? If so, find ways to get rid of them immediately! It’s time for leaders to stop hindering their own success.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Power of Change
During these tumultuous times of economic uncertainty, many of us are experiencing unwanted and unexpected challenges in our lives. Because of these, we are being forced to change.
Change is inevitable in life, but generally as creatures of habit we resist it. I hope however, that each of us can take steps to embrace change rather than fight it, because change has an incredible way of making us better. Though often difficult, with the right attitude and approach, we can leverage change to our great benefit.
Change in our life makes us strong. When we embrace change and use it to our advantage, we often gain confidence and strength, because we are forced to adjust and overcome. Without these opportunities in life, we would never grow or realize our true capacities and capabilities. We would be stuck with little improvement, but because of the challenges change creates, it drives us to personal victories in our lives--helping us to reach our full potential.
Change often opens the door to new possibilities as well. With the job market shrinking, people are venturing into new careers and areas of expertise. Though difficult now, I’m sure many in the long-run will find new careers that are more rewarding and meaningful to them. Whenever we are faced with change, new possibilities surround us, and the sky is the limit once again.
Change forces us to grow and progress. Without change, most of us would be satisfied with the status quo in our lives. Change however compels us to do things differently, and it gives us the opportunity to stretch ourselves beyond what we believe may currently be possible. It moves us from our current state to a better state, if we allow it to. Indeed, change molds us to be better people.
Finally, change helps us to reevaluate the direction we are headed in our lives, and it often invites us to alter our path—and this is usually for the better. Change can produce new ideas, goals, and priorities in our lives. Frequently, change helps us live more in line with our personal values, and it helps us understand what truly makes us happy. In the end, change can revitalize our lives.
Many of us are experiencing difficult changes in our lives at this time, but we must embrace change and use it as a catalyst for personal improvement. Though challenging, change can have a tremendous positive impact on our lives. So let’s adjust our perspective if we need to and begin believing that change is not bad; it is just different. And if we respond properly, the results of change will have a very powerful, positive, and long-lasting affect on us.
Change is inevitable in life, but generally as creatures of habit we resist it. I hope however, that each of us can take steps to embrace change rather than fight it, because change has an incredible way of making us better. Though often difficult, with the right attitude and approach, we can leverage change to our great benefit.
Change in our life makes us strong. When we embrace change and use it to our advantage, we often gain confidence and strength, because we are forced to adjust and overcome. Without these opportunities in life, we would never grow or realize our true capacities and capabilities. We would be stuck with little improvement, but because of the challenges change creates, it drives us to personal victories in our lives--helping us to reach our full potential.
Change often opens the door to new possibilities as well. With the job market shrinking, people are venturing into new careers and areas of expertise. Though difficult now, I’m sure many in the long-run will find new careers that are more rewarding and meaningful to them. Whenever we are faced with change, new possibilities surround us, and the sky is the limit once again.
Change forces us to grow and progress. Without change, most of us would be satisfied with the status quo in our lives. Change however compels us to do things differently, and it gives us the opportunity to stretch ourselves beyond what we believe may currently be possible. It moves us from our current state to a better state, if we allow it to. Indeed, change molds us to be better people.
Finally, change helps us to reevaluate the direction we are headed in our lives, and it often invites us to alter our path—and this is usually for the better. Change can produce new ideas, goals, and priorities in our lives. Frequently, change helps us live more in line with our personal values, and it helps us understand what truly makes us happy. In the end, change can revitalize our lives.
Many of us are experiencing difficult changes in our lives at this time, but we must embrace change and use it as a catalyst for personal improvement. Though challenging, change can have a tremendous positive impact on our lives. So let’s adjust our perspective if we need to and begin believing that change is not bad; it is just different. And if we respond properly, the results of change will have a very powerful, positive, and long-lasting affect on us.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Two Outstanding Analogies
Recently I was reviewing some notes from Stephen R. Covey’s "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." The notes reminded me of how powerful the book is, and that if the information presented in the book is applied, it will allow us to reach our potential in life.
One of my favorite analogies from the book has to do with the law of gravity. Gravity has a tremendous pull on us (literally), and overcoming it is very, very difficult--but it can be done. When a space shuttle lifts off, it uses nearly all of its energy and effort at the beginning of its trip because of the tremendous pull of gravity. And though the space shuttle travels hundreds of thousands of miles, after the initial launch into space, the rest of the trip is relatively easy in comparison.
In his book Covey relates the law of gravity and the space shuttle to our habits. Our habits have a tremendous pull or influence on us, and they define who we are as people. Like gravity, habits are extremely difficult to break. However like the space shuttle, the most difficult part in changing our habits is the initial launch, but once we break through that strong “gravity pull”, our ability to reach greatness takes on new meaning. Thus in the beginning, it takes great exertion, willpower, discipline, effort, and time to change the habit, but as we begin, it becomes easier and easier with each passing day.
Likewise, the hardest part to form a habit is in the beginning. There is a strong gravity pull against us when we try developing something new. Again it takes a great effort of self-discipline, willpower, and time to form a habit, but once we do, it becomes easy because then the gravity pull works in our favor. Let me explain.
Like gravity, our habits have tremendous pull on our lives for good or for bad. The strong gravity pull from our poor habits will inhibit us from progressing and reaching our goals. However, this same gravity pull works to our advantage when we develop good habits. If we use this law effectively, the strong force of gravity (habits) will be to our benefit, pulling us towards success.
To me, this analogy is powerful and true as it clearly illustrates the strong impact our habits have in our lives. As we work at breaking our poor habits, and focus on developing good ones, we will have the ability to reach greatness in our lives.
While I’m on the topic, another analogy that I love from Covey’s sequel, "The 8th Habit", is the trim tab analogy. A trim tab is a small rudder that is used to turn the large rudder which turns a huge ship. Without a trim tab turning the large rudder would be impossible because of the tremendous force of the water against it. However the trim tab makes it easy to turn the large rudder. Thus, we are encouraged to be trim tabbers in our lives or catalysts for positive change.
To be a trim tab, we must first stop being the victim or feeling victimized when faced with problems or difficult circumstances. Second, we must believe we can make a difference. Once we realize we have the power to change and create, we then can become trim tabbers.
Now, like the trim tab, our actions may be very small, but these small actions can produce massive results. Indeed, each of us has the ability to be trim tabbers, to produce positive change in our lives and the lives of others by our simple everyday actions.
One example from Covey is a school principal who started cleaning the toilets at the school. To make a long story short, this simple act seemed to have completely turned around the performance of the school.
As we strive to become solutions to problems rather than create more problems, we will become trim tabbers in our own ways, and our influence will have a powerful effect on others.
So we must use the powerful pull of habits to our benefit and not detriment. Then these good habits in turn will propel us to become trim tabbers or catalysts for positive, powerful change. The success and fulfillment we receive in life will be greatly improved by simply applying and learning from these two outstanding analogies.
One of my favorite analogies from the book has to do with the law of gravity. Gravity has a tremendous pull on us (literally), and overcoming it is very, very difficult--but it can be done. When a space shuttle lifts off, it uses nearly all of its energy and effort at the beginning of its trip because of the tremendous pull of gravity. And though the space shuttle travels hundreds of thousands of miles, after the initial launch into space, the rest of the trip is relatively easy in comparison.
In his book Covey relates the law of gravity and the space shuttle to our habits. Our habits have a tremendous pull or influence on us, and they define who we are as people. Like gravity, habits are extremely difficult to break. However like the space shuttle, the most difficult part in changing our habits is the initial launch, but once we break through that strong “gravity pull”, our ability to reach greatness takes on new meaning. Thus in the beginning, it takes great exertion, willpower, discipline, effort, and time to change the habit, but as we begin, it becomes easier and easier with each passing day.
Likewise, the hardest part to form a habit is in the beginning. There is a strong gravity pull against us when we try developing something new. Again it takes a great effort of self-discipline, willpower, and time to form a habit, but once we do, it becomes easy because then the gravity pull works in our favor. Let me explain.
Like gravity, our habits have tremendous pull on our lives for good or for bad. The strong gravity pull from our poor habits will inhibit us from progressing and reaching our goals. However, this same gravity pull works to our advantage when we develop good habits. If we use this law effectively, the strong force of gravity (habits) will be to our benefit, pulling us towards success.
To me, this analogy is powerful and true as it clearly illustrates the strong impact our habits have in our lives. As we work at breaking our poor habits, and focus on developing good ones, we will have the ability to reach greatness in our lives.
While I’m on the topic, another analogy that I love from Covey’s sequel, "The 8th Habit", is the trim tab analogy. A trim tab is a small rudder that is used to turn the large rudder which turns a huge ship. Without a trim tab turning the large rudder would be impossible because of the tremendous force of the water against it. However the trim tab makes it easy to turn the large rudder. Thus, we are encouraged to be trim tabbers in our lives or catalysts for positive change.
To be a trim tab, we must first stop being the victim or feeling victimized when faced with problems or difficult circumstances. Second, we must believe we can make a difference. Once we realize we have the power to change and create, we then can become trim tabbers.
Now, like the trim tab, our actions may be very small, but these small actions can produce massive results. Indeed, each of us has the ability to be trim tabbers, to produce positive change in our lives and the lives of others by our simple everyday actions.
One example from Covey is a school principal who started cleaning the toilets at the school. To make a long story short, this simple act seemed to have completely turned around the performance of the school.
As we strive to become solutions to problems rather than create more problems, we will become trim tabbers in our own ways, and our influence will have a powerful effect on others.
So we must use the powerful pull of habits to our benefit and not detriment. Then these good habits in turn will propel us to become trim tabbers or catalysts for positive, powerful change. The success and fulfillment we receive in life will be greatly improved by simply applying and learning from these two outstanding analogies.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Elephant Syndrome
An elephant is the largest living land animal in the world and can weigh up to 27,000 lbs! Yet, a single stake and small chain tied around one foot holds circus elephants in place. Why?!? Well, when circus elephants are young, the stake and chain are strong enough to keep them from escaping. Thus, circus elephants are conditioned to believe they can’t escape even when they are massive adults.
Like elephants, often we are conditioned to believe certain ideas and then we allow them to hold us in place. Thus, elephant syndrome is exactly that—believing something based on a misconception rather than based on truth.
So what have we been conditioned to think or believe? Most often, these “conditioned” beliefs are based on societal values, cultural norms, family ideals or personal labels. And we allow them to govern our lives rather than true principles. This is crazy, but we all do it!!
Let me give you a personal example. From a very young age I’ve believed that I am not a good handyman. If something breaks, I immediately think “don’t ask me to fix it because that’s not something I’m good at.” And I’m not sure where this idea came from. Now, looking at truth, I’ve never really even tried to fix things probably mostly because of my conditioned belief that I’m no good at it. The reality is though that I’m sure with some effort and practice, I could be a great handyman.
This is a simple example that shows how we place limitations on our abilities—not based on any sort of truth but based on the fact that we suffer from elephant syndrome. And this is only one simple example causing me to wonder what else I believe that keeps me from reaching my potential?!
Conditioned beliefs die hard and learning to overcome them is not easy! However, we can overcome elephant syndrome. To do so though takes discipline, effort, and patience because it is a process that takes place day by day. Everytime we think “I can’t do that”, or “that’s impossible”, we must stop and think, ‘is what I am thinking based on fact or on a conditioned belief?’ Stopping and analyzing each situation will allow us to begin to understand more clearly and discern truth from elephant syndrome.
Once we become good at stopping and discerning truth, we can then take it a step further by challenging our conditioned beliefs by proving them wrong. Going back to my example, the next time my dryer breaks, instead of assuming I can’t fix it, I should change my thought process and think, ‘hmm, I wonder if I can fix it.’ Then, I should put forth my best effort to actually try to fix it, and simply the effort will begin to cure me of my elephant syndrome.
Now, by consciously doing this day in and day out, we will slowly shift how we think and how we see the world. And we will realize that the stake and chain that we believe is holding us in place is a lie. Thus, we will be free to believe that the sky is the limit for us once again.
So what do we believe to be true that isn’t based on truth? What stakes and chains limit us in life? We must break ourselves from our “elephant syndrome” and see things as they really are. As we do this, we will be amazed at what we can accomplish.
Like elephants, often we are conditioned to believe certain ideas and then we allow them to hold us in place. Thus, elephant syndrome is exactly that—believing something based on a misconception rather than based on truth.
So what have we been conditioned to think or believe? Most often, these “conditioned” beliefs are based on societal values, cultural norms, family ideals or personal labels. And we allow them to govern our lives rather than true principles. This is crazy, but we all do it!!
Let me give you a personal example. From a very young age I’ve believed that I am not a good handyman. If something breaks, I immediately think “don’t ask me to fix it because that’s not something I’m good at.” And I’m not sure where this idea came from. Now, looking at truth, I’ve never really even tried to fix things probably mostly because of my conditioned belief that I’m no good at it. The reality is though that I’m sure with some effort and practice, I could be a great handyman.
This is a simple example that shows how we place limitations on our abilities—not based on any sort of truth but based on the fact that we suffer from elephant syndrome. And this is only one simple example causing me to wonder what else I believe that keeps me from reaching my potential?!
Conditioned beliefs die hard and learning to overcome them is not easy! However, we can overcome elephant syndrome. To do so though takes discipline, effort, and patience because it is a process that takes place day by day. Everytime we think “I can’t do that”, or “that’s impossible”, we must stop and think, ‘is what I am thinking based on fact or on a conditioned belief?’ Stopping and analyzing each situation will allow us to begin to understand more clearly and discern truth from elephant syndrome.
Once we become good at stopping and discerning truth, we can then take it a step further by challenging our conditioned beliefs by proving them wrong. Going back to my example, the next time my dryer breaks, instead of assuming I can’t fix it, I should change my thought process and think, ‘hmm, I wonder if I can fix it.’ Then, I should put forth my best effort to actually try to fix it, and simply the effort will begin to cure me of my elephant syndrome.
Now, by consciously doing this day in and day out, we will slowly shift how we think and how we see the world. And we will realize that the stake and chain that we believe is holding us in place is a lie. Thus, we will be free to believe that the sky is the limit for us once again.
So what do we believe to be true that isn’t based on truth? What stakes and chains limit us in life? We must break ourselves from our “elephant syndrome” and see things as they really are. As we do this, we will be amazed at what we can accomplish.
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