Many people are born leaders, yet the ability to lead is actually
an art and an amazing collection of skills, which can be learned
and sharpened through a series of daily habits and activities.
The following ten keys will provide the foundation for a powerful
leadership development plan and can be your guide in expanding
what is possible in your life personally, professionally, and
spiritually.
1. Start your day with Intention.
There is a direct correlation with how you start your day and the
quality of your life. Most people start the day in a hurry and as
a result play catch up all day long. Unless you try something
different this sense of not being able to get it all done won’t
change. Here is a suggestion. Spend 10-15 minutes each morning
for daily reflection looking at the major areas of your life:
career, relationship, family, community, and spirituality. Ask
yourself what are you grateful for and what do you intend to
accomplish. Then ask yourself what will be the highlight of your
day. By asking yourself this question you will have created a
positive expectation throughout the day. No matter what is going
on or who you are interacting with, you can always ask yourself
this question. Remember this time in the morning is your time and
no one else’s so it is essential to take this time before
listening to the news or reading the paper. This practice becomes
a spiritual practice and mental discipline so that your ability
to focus and concentrate increases dramatically. You also expand
your ability to say no to limiting beliefs.
2. Be dedicated to a high level of learning.
Great leaders are highly competent, because they are dedicated to
a high level of learning, growth, and improvement. They know the
worse thing they can do is to be too comfortable. Spend 15-20
minutes each day devoted to learning something new. Do not
settle for knowing "how" to do something. Dig deeper by asking
the question "why" and then go find the answer. Search the
internet, consult with experts, or take a day trip to find the
answer to a question that is on your mind or the minds of those
who follow you. Don’t hesitate to hire a consultant, coach or
expert in your field. At the end of the day ask yourself "what
did I learn today?"
3. Follow a regular exercise routine.
One of the most beneficial and practical habits you can develop
is a regular exercise routine. There is no question that regular
exercise has many benefits. The most energetic people that I come
in contact with all exercise. They look better, feel better and
always seem to have time to do what they want. From a time
management perspective they are mentally alert, more efficient
and able to get more done in less time. From a health
prospective there are numerous studies that document the value of
exercise….just read any of the bulletins from the American Heart
Association. An additional benefit is that many leaders have
asserted that during exercise solutions to challenges are
revealed.
4. Discover your strengths.
The strengths profile finder from the book NOW! Discover Your
Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. is a
revolutionary program which can show you how to discover and then
develop your unique talents and gifts. One of the secrets to
discovering your leadership potential lies in your ability to
exercise your strengths, not in dwelling on your weaknesses. This
tool by Buckingham and Clifton can guide you to becoming a high
performing and empowered individual.
5. Be an innovator by tapping into your creativity.
Many adults move through life thinking "I am not creative," and
wondering "What if?" As humans, we all have the ability to be
wildly creative, and sometimes, this requires practice. By
spending time each day with the support of tools such as "Five
Star Mind" by Tom Wujec, you can begin to unlock and expand the
creative potential that lies deep within you. Using puzzles,
mind-mapping, word association, and the power of curiosity, you
can stimulate your intuition, innovation, and creative
expression. As Napoleon Hill stated "All the 'breaks' you need in
life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of
your mind, capable of turning mind-energy into accomplishment and
wealth." As your creativity soars, you will find that others will
view you as a leader and will be attracted to you for your
amazing ability to be innovative.
6. Be willing to interrupt your thought patterns.
Herbert Benson, M.D., a Harvard cardiologist, in his latest
bestseller The Breakout Principle, describes a four stage process
in which new insights and peak experiences are achieved.
According to Benson and his researchers, the first stage in this
process occurs when there is a crisis or a problem that you are
attempting to solve. In the second stage what is important is to
interrupt your thought pattern by breaking away from your
predicament and doing something totally different. You might
leave the building and take a walk, go to the gym, or listen to
some music. In the third phase, when the mind is less stressed
and less cluttered, the peak experience or solution occurs quite
often accompanied by something unexpected-a surprise that
produces new ideas or higher levels of performance. In the fourth
phase you incorporate your new insights and improved performance
into your everyday way of life and live from this new standard.
7. Start or join a Master Mind Group.
Did you know that Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry
Ford and Harvey Firestone were all members of a Mastermind Group?
This group of Leaders knew something many of us do not know. They
knew that the key to their success was in their ability to rely
on each other for feedback, ideas, accountability, and above
all...support! These men controlled much of the industry of the
United States during the height of their careers. Innovation and
expansion in human thought often result from teams that mentally
capitalize on the principle of collaborative thinking. With
spontaneous expression and interchange of thoughts with folks who
are up to big things in life, a mastermind group can shift your
awareness, expand your thinking, and can take you to
unprecedented levels of leadership.
8. Don't be a one trick pony.
Most people spend too much time working. They don’t realize they
have a choice. If you spend all your time and energy working, you
limit your understanding of yourself and of people in general.
You will be unable to see the big picture. From this limited
perspective you will find it difficult to connect with other
people and to enroll them in your vision. Have an open mind and
develop interests and hobbies and become a complete person.
Become involved in your community and become interested in how
you can contribute. Quite often it is outside the office when you
make the key strategic alliances.
9. Develop the ability to fully express yourself and be a better
communicator.
Have you ever had a meeting or encounter with someone and as soon
as it was over, you said to yourself "why didn’t I say that?" If
you haven’t had that experience you are unique. The ability to
express ourselves is an essential tool in our ability to create
impact. Develop this skill. Be aware of what you are really
feeling in the particular moment so that you do not make
agreements you do not intend to keep. You might want to consider
joining Toastmasters or Speaking Circles to fine tune your
ability to speak on your feet.
10. Embrace change.
It’s happens everyday... that is change. Prepare to adapt to what
is happening. Have you ever noticed how rapidly children change
and we as adults try to put the brakes on change. Studies show
that the average person has at least five different careers.
Change can lead to innovation and can be exciting. Ask yourself
what is possible. Ask yourself what can I create? Prepare
yourself for change. Try something like yoga. It makes your mind
more flexible and as a result you look at life differently.
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