Everything, it seems, is changing: business, politics, communication, even the climate. But who you are should be a constant. If you want to attain the things you want, you must first know what is your message.
Your message is our leadership story, here are a few principles to help you define what matters:
You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself. If you know what you want to achieve, you must know and understand your strong and weak points and be comfortable with who you are. When you can reach out to people authentically, it makes others comfortable. And when you understand your best and know how to give it, it unlocks excellence in those around you.
A set of clear values simplifies decision making. Your basic core values—what you believe—informs decision, every judgment, and every action that you make. When you’ve invested time in defining and understanding those values, they become second nature. Decisions are easier, and over time you become known as someone with a strong and consistent moral code.
It’s not just what happens to you that determines how far you will go; it is also how you handle what happens to you. Attitude is more important than education, money, circumstances, failure, success or any other factor in your life and work. There are many things in life you cannot change, but you choose your attitude every day.
Make sure that what you’re doing today is taking you closer to your goals. Set challenging but attainable goals and a compelling vision, then keep your focus there. It’s easy for short-term failure or distraction to take you off track. Setting your goals is like setting your compass. Once you’ve done it, you can check in often and save yourself a lot of aimless wandering.
You can acquire knowledge by studying, but wisdom comes with observation. Pay careful attention to the people around you. Notice their reactions; listen to what they say; think about what they’re leaving out. Let yourself learn from every vantage point.
Be yourself. As the saying goes, everyone else is taken. Don’t change to fit in, but seek out and develop your best qualities. We are what we pretend to be, so be careful about what you choose.
Persistence will get you there; consistency will keep you there. Don’t change your style of communication, or message depending on the circumstance. Be the same whether you are talking one on one or standing in front of a room of a thousand. Adapt to your audience and context, but keep your messaging consistent.
If things are to move forward, someone must be willing to take charge. Even in the hardest—and the best—of times, don’t leave things up to chance. It’s your responsibility to make sure that your company, brand, and organization exemplify what they stand for and what they are capable of. If you don’t shape the message, someone else will.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Finding good players is easy. Getting them to play as a team is another story. Coming together with a great team is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is what brings you success. When you have the right team, you have a group of people who are on your side, spreading the same message with the same passion as you.
Your leadership narrative is created by being who you are.
Lead From Within. As we create and develop businesses, companies, and our leadership, we can achieve much more with focus, discipline, and attention to everything we say and everything we do because it’s conveying our message–so lets make it meaningful.
N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
Panteli Tritchew
28. Apr, 2015
“Everything, it seems, is changing… But who you are should be a constant.” This is so true, so valuable and so difficult. The word “are” is derived from the verb “be,” of “To be or not to be” fame. This simple word is rooted in the Norse “beon,” meaning “to exist” from which we also get “become.” Hamlet was stymied, not sure whether “to suffer, the slings and arrows of outrageous Fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles.”
“Your leadership narrative is created by being who you are.” To be comfortable with who we are, we need to know who we are. Existential soliloquies are wonderful on the stage, but not so inspiring in the boardroom. Great day to you Lolly!
Jon Stallings
28. Apr, 2015
Despite our tittles we are always being watched and we are sending a message. Thanks Lolly for the reminder that we need to be intentional about the message we are sending.
Roger Laidig
28. Apr, 2015
Great insight. For the most part, your points are what I have am still discovering in my journey of life. I included them in the book that I wrote last year titled “Finding Purpose and Joy, It’s a Journey”.
Good work Lolly!
Garren Fagaragan
28. Apr, 2015
Yes…being who we are in our fullest capacities is what brings meaning to our lives and others.
thank you for the great reminders Lolly.
I appreciate them.
make it a great day!
Garren
biki hamza
28. Apr, 2015
Once again message meaningful real equation between the law of life and moving the the hard analgesia moving and the hard target and the position variable and so as not to miss the goal leader among fixed and mobile attractiveness It’s a real meaningful lolly Thank you this great effort to you article
John Paul
04. May, 2015
Brilliant as always. Thank you, Lolly. You matter!
Mike Corey
06. Jul, 2015
Great article. Thanks Lolly!
Les Proctor
24. Jul, 2015
“Be yourself.” I notice when I’m relaxed, just being myself, it sends off an unconscious signal that allows others to be themselves, too. The barriers come down. Allowing for new relationships, deeper levels of trust and appreciation. Creating new opportunities to collaborate and get things done. Thanks Lolly!
Michal Petras
14. Oct, 2015
Thank you for this beautiful article. Love it. Excellent points to think about and use them daily.
junaidhassan
16. Nov, 2015
Thank u mam again u ve done a great job. I m a huge fane f u. Thnx for any thing.