A Message from our President
August 2014
Dear Colleague,
We all likely remember the childhood game, "Follow the Leader". It usually started out sweet enough, following each other around, over, and through obstacles, an often meandering path. We were happy to wander and giggle, then have our turn at the head of the line. Typically, some parts of the line didn't stay close enough, strayed from the group, or infused their own antics into the route, eventually devolving the game. In my recollection, there was always a child crying, "But, I'M the LEADER!", by the time the now-chaotic group was redirected to another activity.
The lesson "you aren't a leader unless you are followed" became a harsh reality.
We all have heard that "having a leadership title and being a leader aren't the same" and "anyone can be a leader", but sometimes we have difficulty figuring out how to make it work for ourselves. In this month's article, Sherry Essig outlines 8 qualities of influence, and reminds us that having an influence IS being a leader, regardless of your title. Many of the tips are obvious, although occasionally forgotten by those supposedly in charge. And, yet, what a difference those simple actions make!
Other small actions that make a big difference to us include sharing your news and calendar items and letting your colleagues know about our services. We are here to support you and value you!
With appreciation for all that you do as leaders,
Sherry Heuser
President, Capability Company
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Article of the Month
Word count: 641
Approximate Reading Time: 4 Minutes
8 Essential Qualities You Need to Influence Your World
by Sherry Essig
Leadership
is influencing people and results to have a positive impact in your world.
Holding a leadership position is not the
same as being a leader.
You're a leader because of how you show up and what you do - because of your actions.
Anyone can be a leader.
When
the Vice President of Sales says, "I messed up and here's how I'm going to
clean it up," he's acting as a leader.
When
the child in Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale cries out, "The Emperor has
no clothes!" he's acting as a leader.
When
the new non-profit Board member asks the typically dismissive chair hard
questions, she's acting as a leader.
You
can lead as an employee or a business owner; as an executive, a mid-level
manager, or a sole contributor; and as a Board member, volunteer, parent, or
friend.
Your
job in life is to use your gifts to make a difference. And that means leading
in some fashion, no matter what role you play. You have the ability and
opportunity to act as a leader, no matter where you work, serve, or play.
Cultivate
the following eight qualities and you'll become a more effective leader,
leaving a stronger positive footprint wherever you choose to walk.
Develop self-awareness
With
this skill - and it is a skill -
you'll be more conscious of your attitudes, reactions, choices, words,
actions, and trade-offs. And you'll be more aware of the impact all of
those have on the people around you.
Be of service
I
flew Southwest Airlines home from vacation on the same day Hurricane Isabel
came through.
From
the moment we checked our bags in Denver till we stepped off the plane in
Raleigh, every Southwest
employee was focused on making my travel experience a good one. They were
there to be of service, no matter what.
I
can only imagine how stressful the day had been for the flight crew, with a
massive hurricane affecting air travel from North Carolina to Massachusetts.
But the pilot, co-pilot, and flight attendants all showed up as leaders in the
ways they interacted with passengers, solved problems, and created a sense of
calm.
When
you are of service - when you make the focus of your actions about others -
good things happen.
Own your actions and impact
No
excuses. No denial. No blaming. No whining.
Accept
responsibility, learn something useful, and keep moving.
That
goes for both the good and not-so-good moments.
Grow and support others
Give
credit where credit is due. Master the art of constructive feedback. Help
others be successful. Stand up for the people who support you.
Say
we far more than I or me.
The
more you grow and support others, the more powerful your impact becomes.
Be curious
We're
born wide open and curious. Why is the sky blue? Why don't dogs laugh? Who made
the trees?
Curiosity
is a powerful tool. It stimulates creativity, both yours and those around you.
Use it.
Speak hard truths.
When
you're willing to name the elephant in the room, ask the question everyone's
thinking but no one's saying, and give difficult but valuable feedback - and
when you do so respectfully and with compassion - you're showing up as a
leader.
Mind your manners
Early
in my career, I worked for a CFO who often said, "All those leadership models
and theories are useless without good manners." I couldn't agree more.
Nourish yourself
None
of us are at our best when we're stressed and exhausted.
When
you practice self-care, you're more clear-headed, patient, receptive,
resilient, and just plain easier to be around.
You
also set an example for others to follow, helping them be more of who they are
as well.
"Nothing so conclusively proves a man's ability to
lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself." ~ Thomas
J. Watson, Sr.
Bottom Line: Leadership is defined by one's actions, not by one's experience level or title. Bring leadership into your life each and every day with these 8 basic actions.
Sherry Essig is a business-life coach with over 10 years experience helping professionals live inspired, energized and unstuck. She can be reached at Sherry@Flow-Dynamix.com and you can subscribe to her free newsletter by visiting www.Flow-Dynamix.com
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