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Clues to guide leadership development often\u00a0prove to be more art than science. \u00a0So many of these concepts live in the part of our brain that deals with feelings & not language. \u00a0This fact alone can\u00a0make conveying them difficult at best. \u00a0Here are some of the tools we can all utilize to begin the journey of putting together what I call your leadership puzzle.<\/p>\n
PASSION<\/p>\n
We all find time to do the things that are most important to us. \u00a0What do you spend 5 hours doing & it seems like 5 minutes? \u00a0What was the thing you did at home\/work that when you finished you felt engaged & inspired? \u00a0Write it down, look at it, study it. \u00a0Trust your gut because connecting everything about who you are to this will show you the work you have to do to contribute to the world!<\/p>\n
PERSONALITY & STRENGTHS<\/p>\n
There are many ways to crack open what makes you, you. \u00a0What matters most here is that you remain open-minded & not judgmental in any exercise you choose. \u00a0There are an endless amount of factors that can affect the outcome of any evaluation so be sure to get enough rest, pick a good time of day for you & trust your initial reactions. \u00a0Myers Briggs Type Indicator or 4 Lenses are great ones, pick one that speaks to you or is recommended.\u00a0 StrengthsFinder.com is a great way to get away from the typical personality test & shed light on what you’re really good at naturally. \u00a0With these evaluations your puzzle will begin to come into focus as who you are relates to your true talents.<\/p>\n
LEARNING MODALITY<\/p>\n
This is an often overlooked part of how we all interact with the world around us. \u00a0These tests tell us about what kind of environment works best for each of us. \u00a0Discovering where your strongest foothold lies\u00a0as either a listener, hands-on\u00a0or reader can be an “a-ha” moment. \u00a0Humans are very\u00a0adaptable. \u00a0We can all learn to survive in any of these but living in an environment for too long that’s not our natural tendency can lead to coping instead of thriving.<\/p>\n
VALUES<\/p>\n
In a previous post I shared an exercise that is totally worthwhile. \u00a0Read my “A Values Exercise” offering for full details. \u00a0Once you’ve got your top 3 things, record yourself describing them. \u00a0Be sure to answer what they are, why they’re important & how you embody them in daily life. \u00a0Listen back & once you get over the sound of your own voice these will no doubt surface when you meet someone & they ask “what do you do?”<\/p>\n
CASE IN POINT<\/p>\n
There was a lady in one of my leadership development workshops that wrote down “hair & make-up” for her passion item. \u00a0She then discovered aspects of her personality that fit perfectly; people energized her, reasonable high emotional intelligence, etc. \u00a0She was totally kinesthetic in her interacting with any environment around her.<\/p>\n
She happened to be not so happy with the job she was doing at the time. \u00a0Loved working for the company but “felt” there might be a better fit for her somewhere else. \u00a0She was right! \u00a0She had developed a moonlighting hair & make-up studio that was interfering with her home life making things out of balance. \u00a0Coping to survive. \u00a0After leaving the workshop she began seeking out new opportunities inside the company & 6 months after sent me a message about switching jobs. \u00a0She had done it! \u00a0She found the courage & had the information to convey why she needed something new, what that might look like & how she would contribute better with her strengths. \u00a0Since then, she has been totally motivated to come to work, is more efficient\/effective & has found balance for increased quality of life. \u00a0Everyone wins!<\/p>\n
CLOSING THOUGHTS<\/p>\n
Putting together your leadership puzzle begins with you asking hard questions to discover & be comfortable with you. \u00a0We’ve all worked around\u00a0people who are insecure in some way. \u00a0This leads to increased vulnerability at every turn. \u00a0However, you’ll be less likely for these emotions to undermine your life\/work if you simply know yourself better. \u00a0There isn’t life, there are just 6 billion understandings of it. \u00a0Be who you are, do the work you love in the manner you’re most comfortable & you’ll inspire others along the way to do the same!<\/p>\n
Your leadership journey begins with a focus on your puzzle pieces. \u00a0Putting them together in such a way that stays true to you\u00a0will allow you to lead others the way they deserve in the way only you can. \u00a0Take this common sense approach & don’t settle because you, your family, the organization\u00a0& the world deserves you at your best!<\/p>\n
Ricardo Semler says “Successful companies will be the ones that put quality of life first. \u00a0Do this and the rest – quality of product, productivity of workers, profits for all – will follow.” \u00a0Life is too short, work someplace awesome that supports a holistic view of personal\/professional growth!<\/p>\n
All the best,<\/p>\n