The Road to Success – Part 3
Leading with Purpose: In my previous posts in The Road to Success series, in The Things We Are section, we looked at a leadership journey from a behavioral framework of how we lead, model, and support others, and in The Things We Carry section, we reflected on the types of baggage that either support our leadership credibility or hold us back. In this post we pause to become more familiar with the engine (our purpose) and the fuel (our beliefs) that keep it running.
Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle Ted Talk challenges us to start by thinking about WHY we do what we do (You can watch it here). The answer we come up with when we start with our “why” frames what we BELIEVE about what we do and guides how we go about doing it.
In the series Ted Lasso, the poster that Ted placed above the locker room door is just one word – BELIEVE. There is a reason for the emphasis on the word “believe” in both stories. Our beliefs drive our thoughts, and our thoughts influence our attitudes and behaviors.
Our beliefs show up in how we perform, act, and respond to the people, situations, and the environment around us. They are the fuel for the engine (our purpose) that drives us forward. What is important here is recognizing that while our beliefs play a key role in our effectiveness as leaders, some of our beliefs may be based on false assumptions or outdated data that can limit us.
My challenge for you this month is to explore how your purpose is driving you forward by exploring and assessing what you BELIEVE regarding the prompts below. Pay attention to where your beliefs lean toward being positive and affirming or negative and critical. Also consider if your beliefs are in line with the most recent data, or if they might they be impacted by unsubstantiated assumptions. Be openly curious as you reflect on these areas.
- What do you believe about your organization?
- Do you buy into the vision, mission, and strategic goals? Are they relevant, realistic, and meaningful? Are they keeping up with the times?
- Do you take pride in the quality of the products and/or services your organization sells/supports? Are they worth your personal recommendation?
- Are you satisfied with the politics that run your organization? Do you trust the organizations executive leadership?
- How would you describe your company’s organizational culture?
If you had the power to change anything based on your current beliefs in this area, what would it be?
- What do you believe about your employees?
(Consider this both for each individual and as a team.)- Do they show appropriate attitudes, levels of motivation, and engagement?
- Do they possess the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in their roles?
- Are there available opportunities for further development and growth?
- Do you trust them enough to delegate critical tasks?
- Name what you value most about each employee that reports to you. Tell them.
- Name what concerns you about each employee that reports to you. Coach them.
Believing in those you lead is critical to being effective as a leader. If you had the power to change anything based on your current beliefs about them, what would it be?
- What do you believe about yourself?
- What are your strengths as a leader of others?
- What leadership qualities do you rely on most in your work environment? Why?
- How effective is your influence with upper management?
- What do you believe you need to adapt/improve to model the kind of leadership that your employees need to thrive?
- What do you believe you need to adapt/improve to model the kind of leadership that your organization needs to thrive?
If you had the power to change anything based on your current beliefs about yourself as a leader, what would it be?
My hope is that by investing time in this activity you will gain additional clarity and perspective on how exploring what you believe about something, or someone, is an important step in your ongoing development as a respected and effective leader.
Kindling Leadership 