Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 22 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: Staying in (leadership) shape
— From LEAD RIGHT by Steve Ventura
A friend of mine gave me LEAD RIGHT before she retired, and I have enjoyed reading it. It’s a very short read, it has some very practical and sensible advice on leadership, and some of it comes with a clever/fun twist, as is the case with today’s idea.
The author, Steve Ventura, says that if you are “looking to build or strengthen your leadership ‘muscles,’ here are some exercises… TO AVOID.” I’m adding the list of exercises below—verbatim—because I think the author did a great job with this compilation.
Jumping to conclusions.
Passing the buck.
Grabbing the credit.
Throwing your weight around.
Stretching the truth.
Bending the rules.
Breaking your promises.
Playing favorites.
Stepping on others.
Dodging your duty.
Running your mouth off.
Plugging your ears.
Side-stepping programs.
Shooting down the organization.
Pulling others into your funk.
Holding others back.
Pressing “my way or the highway.”
Just skating by.
Now you know what NOT to do to stay in top (leadership) shape!
ACTION
TODAY: Reflect as to whether you engage in any of these “exercises.” We all do on occasion. Create the intention of being aware when it happens: catch yourself as the first thought enters your mind and nix it. Substitute the thought with empathy: put yourself in the shoes of the others involved in the situation, and your entire leadership style will change for the better.
FUTURE: Make it a habit of examining your thoughts before you act. Knowing yourself and being aware is what it takes, create that intention in your mind. Avoid doing any of the “exercises” above and, instead, offer your help to those around you and lead from a place of empathy.
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