There are many stories of people failing on their way to success. We champion these stories and admire those who overcome the adversity; however, when we fall, we somehow don’t connect the dots. When you are passed over for a promotion or when you fail to complete the mission, learn from it what you can and go again.
Whenever I take the time to share something I value with my team it seems to grow exponentially. Sometimes it is a factoid I discovered by accident in some obscure Air Force pub that helps to solve a problem at a later date. I know this has happened to me many times. I was talking to someone and they shared a seemingly random piece of information with me and within just a few days, I was able to use that information. I am not sure what the lesson is, but this quote made me think about it.
What does this quote from Alexander the Great mean to you? To me, it means we have to be strong as leaders. We can’t be afraid to stand up for our team and to our team. I recently watched as a supervisor chastised his subordinate and then flip-flopped when he got push-back. If he could not even stand firm with his troop, how in the world is he expected to stand firm when talking to someone higher in the food chain than himself. Being a lion means we have to protect the team and also ensure we are handling issues on the team too.
The first piece of leadership advice I have ever received was from my father when I was maybe 6-ish. He told me to “lead by example” and it is something I have considered and pondered my whole life. Sometimes it means to show others how to do the task and sometimes it means to roll up the sleeves and get dirty. However, it always means to exhibit strong character. When things are going downhill, your team is watching how you react. When there is a failure or success, your team is watching. Your actions teach your team what a leader is capable of, so make sure you are leading by example.
Until we realize what we don’t know, we can’t learn anything new. When we start a new hobby or read a book on a new topic, we have no problem admitting we don’t know about it. However, we have a lot of trouble admitting we don’t know something about an area we are an “expert” in. Take a look at your strong areas and ask someone who is new to the area and someone who is more advanced about how they do things. I promise you will gain some new insight.
There are those who are humble and those about to be humbled. I have a twisted blood lust for know-it-alls. You know, when those you try to advise, but they know it all already. It makes me smile when they fall flat on their face. I know this is a terrible trait for me to possess and I have certainly been that know-it-all several times in my own life. Even when we think we know something, we need to listen to those willing to share with us because there may be something within that is helpful.
We set out as leaders to make our teams better. We want to improve the organization overall. However, many of us do not take the time to improve ourselves first. Our team can only go as fast as their leader. Invest in the betterment of yourself and then use that to serve your team.
There are many versions of this idea out there. 28 days to create a habit, 14 days, etc. Bottom line is that if we are willing to make something a part of our routine for an extended period of time, it is likely to become a habit. Look at things you do everyday and decide if they are things you want to continue doing.
How many times have we fought or stalled waiting for some organizational policy to change? We complain, argue, throw temper tantrums, and more because we are not happy with the rules, the resources we are given or the location we are placed. I have never seen this as a successful strategy for myself or others. Instead, when I adjust to the change, I typically find the success I am looking for. And…if you adopt early enough you will get a leg up on your peers who are too busy complaining, arguing and throwing temper tantrums.
