Research is now clear that the inability to manage oneself efficiently leads to premature aging, diminished mental clarity and even blocked access to our innate intelligence. The converse is also true: increasing internal coherence leads to more efficiency in all physiological systems and greater creativity, adaptability and flexibility.
How tough is it to manage oneself? Really tough. What is your toughest leadership challenge? You. You are the most difficult person you will ever lead. And, the single greatest distinction between good leaders and great leaders is:
- Self-leadership and
- Emotional self control
- Ability to navigate highs and lows
- Personal discouragement
- Sober mindedness in crisis
- Keeps ego at bay at all times
- Focus is on mission
As a leader you probably think that the most important people to lead are your direct reports, or leading down. Although critical, you are forgetting that you must lead up to your boss or board of directors; lead laterally, your colleagues; and of course, yourself.
In his book, Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybels, has us imagine our leadership like a compass with a black needle facing either N, S, E and W. And, almost every time the word leadership is mentioned, in what direction do leaders instinctively think? Usually South. He challenges us to think differently and asks us to consider how much time and energy should we put into each area? The answer will surprise you.
Coaching Tips:
What direction do you reflexively think of when you think about leadership? How much time do you spend developing yourselfin these areas?
____% Leading myself
____% Leading up
____% Leading laterally
____% Leading down
How much time should you be spending?
_ 50 % Leading myself
_ 25% Leading up
_ 20% Leading laterally
_ 5% Leading down
From “The Art of Chaordic Leadership” Leader to Leader (Winter 2000, 22) by Author Dee Hock)
Leadership Notes
- No one can do the work of self-leadership for us.
- Every leader must do this work alone and it isn’t easy.
- Don’t avoid it.
