Personal study and professional application is a must for you as a Leader in the 21st Century.
Leaders are Learners.
One of my employees once asked my wife, “Jeff reads a lot doesn’t he?” To which my wife replied, “No, Jeff studies.” And this is true. While I once saw this as a possible obsession, I now see it as my driving business strength. I can relate story after story of how learning has served me successfully as a Leader … and therefore served others.
How well you self assess and act on that assessment determines the quality of the goals you set and the effectiveness of your action plans.
Leaders are not afraid of introspection.
As a matter of fact they thrive on it. A Leader does not wait on the performance review cycle or a required 360 process to determine how she/he is doing. The Leader uses the goal-setting process in an almost spiritual manner – realizing that commitments of all sizes lead to a movement in providence. The Leader knows that goals must be specific and include the what and why of the matter in order to lead them to the truest of action.
The impact you deliver is dependent upon how you integrate Leadership behaviors and implement on your strategies.
Leaders measure Impact.
Leaders unapologetically question measures – they realize that action for action sake is not enough. Does the action connect with a meaningful goal? Does the goal make it crystal clear what we desire to accomplish and why? Only then does the Leader plan the action. It is then that the action is clearly connected with Impact – not just some passing measure.
“Pick your own measures that have meaning, and recognize that results may not be the point of it all. The integrity and whole-heartedness of your actions may be the final measure. What we call ‘results’ may simply be moving outcomes that pass in front of us.” Peter Block
