It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
All of our past posts have been placed HERE if you want to go back and read one.
Self-Leadership Means We Need To Get Back To The Basics
"Leadership is the ability to influence people in order to get things done. Meanwhile, self-leadership is the ability to consciously influence your own thoughts and behavior in order to achieve your personal goals or an organization's objectives. Self-led people mostly take their own decisions and set personal targets." www.cleverism.com
Amy Franko said this:
"Some people are born with the ability to self lead. For the rest of us, self leadership is a trait we can cultivate." @amyfranko
I've been thinking about this during the quick and sudden changes to our global society and our work practice over the past number of days. We are all having to adapt to a "new normal" and this means that many of us are working in new environments, isolated from our team members, our leaders, and the core practices we're used to.
For some, this time of forced isolation empowers us. It's created some much needed space to catch up, to slow down, to dream, or to tackle things that we just haven't had the margin to address because of our pace of life.
For others, this time is creating panic. We don't want space, we want what we're used to. We've learned to rely on our team members and leaders for direction, inspiration and management. Over the course of just a few days, we've had to learn what self-leadership means in all areas of our life at the same time.
Franko is right when she says that some people are "born with the ability to self lead", and for the rest of us, this is something we have to learn how to do, rather quickly.
Here are 6 ideas that might help you to be more productive:
#1) ASK FOR HELP
Don't be afraid to ask others for advice, or ask others what is working and not working for them in the area of self-leadership. You don't have to have it all figured out. It's not a sign of weakness to learn from others.
#2) BE REALISTIC
While we're trying to address a changing work posture, realize that every area of our lives are being affected. Don't assume that things will just continue to move as they have been moving. It will take time to create some momentum, to figure out the learning curve, and to figure out how work, family, faith and community come together.
#3) CREATE A PLAN
Create some realistic goals and steps that you can take over the coming days and weeks, and then move towards that. Tom Paterson and many others have said over and over again: "Plan your work, then work your plan"
#4) BE FLEXIBLE
Things are changing every day. What was a necessity yesterday might be obsolete today. Realize that things are moving quickly, and don't get too comfortable where you're at.
#5) BE A LEARNER
Things might come easy to some people and seem more difficult to you. Be a learner. Ask lots of questions, do your research and homework, ask for help, and learn new things. You won't be able to do things like you used to. It's a new day with new challenges.
#6) CELEBRATE THE WINS
Take the time to stop and celebrate when things work or when they go right. We need to celebrate, especially when there is so much insecurity and so many unknowns.
These 6 things can be applied to your work experience, to your personal life, or even to things you want to get done around your home during these days. Learn to lead yourself in a new way. We didn't choose the situation we're in, but we can learn and adapt through this situation and come out as a better, stronger and more effective leader.
I'm on this journey with you as I evaluate, adapt and adjust my leadership style to our current reality. It's been a few days of panic, some days of concern, and now some days of focus and action.
Take your time, and you'll find your way onto the On Ramp of Self-Leadership.
"Self-leadership is about awareness, tolerance, and not letting your own natural tendencies limit your potential." Scott Belsky
"Empowerment is something someone gives you. Self-leadership is what you do to make it work." Kenneth H. Blanchard
"As a leader, the first person I need to lead is me. The first person that I should try to change is me." John C. Maxwell
"Being self-aware is not the absence of mistakes, but the ability to learn and correct them." Daniel Chidiac
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