Leadership Workout
Leadership
June 15, 2009
Mike Henry
Operations and IT Consultant
Topics
Creator, Leadership, Self Development, VictimA quote from the introduction to the 4th edition of Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner caught my attention. "In the end, we realize that leadership development is self-development." That thought stuck in my mind. It explains much of my passion for the topic of leadership.
Have you ever noticed the energy you get from helping someone accomplish something they've set their mind on? One of my core values in hiring, or association, or partnership; one of the core reasons why I engage with certain people depends on my perception of their ability to self-motivate. No boss wants to have to fire their workers up every day. Team members that would rather be somewhere else should get somewhere else. People who do not look forward to anything or who cannot get excited about something end up being a drain, at least to me and many of the leaders I know.
How's your self-development? Are you doing what you can to grow yourself? Have you let your circumstances dictate your energy level or are you setting the stage, creating your future? Are you a victim or a creator? Are you helpless or are you an owner? Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?
Our world needs us to embrace our circumstances and make the best of them. Our job is to bring an attitude of creation to every environment, every circumstance. We develop as leaders as we exercise our ability to influence our circumstances. And, just like physical exercise, exercising positive influence is something we all get better at as we work at it. As some encouraging friends on Twitter like to say, "make it a great day". Work out your leadership skills today and create your future!
Mike – what a great way to use a quote! And it is so true. In order to lead others to their greatest potential – either as part of a team within organizations or personally, we need to continuously work on ourselves. The more we learn, the more we can teach. The more we explore, the more we find. And, the more we practice, the better we get.
And the best advice of all, since it IS up to us. Make it a Great Day.
Hi Mike.
”Team members that would rather be somewhere else should get somewhere else” – Firing unmotivated employees might actually be to the benefit of the employee, if you do not work with passion, you are most likely working at the wrong place. I am still wondering why so many leaders don’t practice leadership skills, it is refreshing to read a blog post called leadership workout.
I just found your blog at http://employeeengagement.ning.com/, and I like it so far. I am definitely going to read more of it.
Keep writing!
@Frode – Thanks for the comment. I am trying to get where I spend more time with the Employee Engagement Group. It seems like a great group. I was glad to find people with so much in common regarding engagement and sustainability.