A Leader Grows Through Trials
The leader profile
Clearly communicating what a leader looks like in our organization can help our next generation of leaders grow steadily and provide guardrails that give them the best chance to succeed.
Crafting a compelling mission and vision in partnership with our teams invites ownership and drives accountability.
We can post value statements publicly and integrate them throughout the organization to drive alignment across the organization.
All the aforementioned become effective only after those in charge display integrity and live their core values authentically. Our consistency builds trust.
People judge leadership quality by what leaders do, not what they say.
Where leadership grows most
How do we respond when things don't go our way?
Can we gracefully handle disappointment?
We need to resist the temptation to give in to pressure that might cause us to act out in frustration and damage people. Instead, let's choose to live our values and realize that whatever disappointment we experience is only one scene our much larger story.
Key: Have proper perspective. Turn the page and be grateful for all that we have and bring our best to our next scene.
What if we don't? Trouble. Only when we own our situation can we truly make the change we need. Anything short makes us a victim. And is there such a thing as a victim-leader?
How do we handle criticism?
Re-frame it.
Criticism, by definition, means we have done something worth criticizing. Wow! Criticism from some people might helps us understand that our work isn't for everyone. Remembering who it is for helps.
Key: When we make something new, our job is to find the person or group it is for and give it to them. Don't expect everyone will love it.
What if we don't? We could become defensive, lie, and even become bitter.
Hold on to these feelings too long and we will find it difficult finding people willing to work with us.
Living with a grateful heart and re-framing criticism will empower us to give the gifts we bring to those who appreciate them best.
The quintessential leadership book is The Leadership Challenge. My favorite author on communicating important messages is Seth Godin. Both books would be great additions to your library.
