Leadership is Not A Once-and-Done Proposition

According to the dictionary, to “chafe” means to wear down or damage as a result of abrasive rubbing. It also means to aggravate or annoy.

It happens in running. (Don’t ask!)

And it happens in leadership – Something rubs against our image of ourselves or who we believe ourselves to be as a leader. Maybe it’s a recurring problem. Perhaps it’s an irritating team member. Or an antagonistic customer or client.

Here’s the rub: (Sorry, couldn’t help myself!)

Source: Pinterest @TheDoctorMurph  ( http://pin.it/wZVtcvQ )

You can’t just “do” leadership once and consider yourself done. You don’t complete a course, take an action, move an “asset,” make an assessment, write a report, conduct a conversation, hire a person, get the consultant, make a presentation, sell an idea, or learn the lingo and consider yourself a leader, permanently. You can never knead your hands together in blissful satisfaction, and be finished with your leadership development.

Nor can you do that with excellent team performance. Sorry.

And if you try to take the shortcut, life will throw you a little “chafing” to remind you that you are not, in fact, a finished work of art. Know this: You may not even realize that you have a problem until you try something new or attempt a big step forward. Just ask a runner how a shower can sometimes feel after a distance race. Ouch!

Take a hint from nature: There is no such thing as stasis – long-term equilibrium, enduring stability or permanent polish. It simply doesn’t exist. There is only growth or death.

Use this knowledge to find an area of growth and development, worthy of your attention today. Take some action. Learn. Be curious. Ask why. Make a conscious decision to move ahead of your competition.

Make it a great day!

Category: Development, featured, Leader