Quick and easy for this edition of the newsletter. 15+1 Leadership truths that I believe in and ask you to consider.
1) Allow nobody to impact your happiness. That means I am not responsible for making you happy and your job is NOT to make anyone else happy. Be kind, thoughtful, and empathetic – but their happiness is not your responsibility and yours is not mine.
2) One goal of leadership is attention. Are you claiming theirs? Are you holding theirs? Are you crafting your messages in a way that helps to refocus their efforts?
3) Evaluation and observation impacts culture. This happens whether you do it or not. This happens whether it is rigorous or not. Your values MUST come through in the evaluation process.
4) Accountability is a choice. Are you accountable to your own values and to the organizations? Are you working to ensure accountability of others to the same standards?
5) Leadership is a long game – we are in the legacy business.
6) While very few things will be your FAULT – everything is your RESPONSIBILITY
7) No such thing as a conversation where a ‘sale’ is not made. Either you move them closer to your viewpoint or they move you closer to theirs. NO EXCEPTIONS.
8) Mindset matters. I ask that you deeply believe that NO TEACHER WANTS TO SUCK — this will help you in your tenacity when coaching them.
9) No stress in meaningful conversations. At the end of the day, in the worst case scenario, you have position power and always win.
10) Fear is a construct – one you can choose to overcome. The most courageous are those most intimately acquainted with what causes them fear.
11) Your level of confidence will either inhibit or amplify every conversation. That is a you vs. you battle.
12) One of your WHYs should be: What happens if nothing happens? This should spur you to fight the status quo.
13) Everyday everyone is either a liability or an asset. Who can you move forward (including you) each day to ensure they are adding value to the organization?
14) WILL YOU STAY DISCIPLINED ENOUGH TO ENSURE YOUR SCHEDULE MATCHES YOUR ACTUAL PRIORITIES?
15) The root of all leadership failures is BCD and lack of ownership.
16) We judge others based on behavior and not their intent . . . will you have the courage to do the same for yourself?
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS TO GUIDE SOME THINKING
- How much time are you thinking about strategy compared to reacting in the moment?
- Do you have a philosophy of leadership that is mirrored by your actions?
- What is one thing in life you are blaming someone else for that you can (and should) take immediate ownership of?
- What excuses have you made to yourself that by now you totally believe and are limiting your success and happiness?
- What do you most fear that prevents you from leading change faster?
THE BEST THING I READ/WATCHED THIS WEEK
Granted by Adam Grant
Adam Grant is one of my favorite thinkers on the planet. His newsletter comes out about once a month and is ‘meaty.’ Thus, you can click links and follow research for some time should you wish, but he also delivers great short nuggets like the lines pasted below.
“That’s just the way I am” is a missed opportunity for growth. Personality is not your destiny—it’s your tendency.
RECENT PIECES OF MY WORK
PODCAST
Teach Better: Aspire Podcast – Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You
WRITINGS
Parenting an Athlete – Featured in GenParenting
Leading a Digital Transformation – Ed Tech Magazine