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Master Your Leadership Formula
Justin Mecham
June 10, 2024
Sponsored by
Hey Full Potential Zoners!
Here's how to build your personal formula for leadership.
The Harvard Business Review reports that
75% of employees prefer authentic
leaders, highlighting the value
of embracing one's true
personality.
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So, how can you create your formula?
Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:
‘The Periodic Table of Leadership'.
Let’s dive in!
My Top 10 Favorite Elements
Empathy
Pay full attention to the speaker, acknowledge their feelings, and respond thoughtfully.
Put yourself in others' shoes to comprehend their viewpoints and emotions.
Vision
Define a compelling future with specific, measurable objectives.
Share your vision passionately and frequently to inspire and align your team.
Integrity
Always tell the truth, even when it's difficult, and admit mistakes openly.
Keep your promises and commitments consistently.
Confidence
Trust in your abilities and decisions; practice self-affirmation daily.
Speak and act with certainty to instill confidence in others.
Trustworthiness
Consistently perform your duties and meet expectations.
Ensure team members feel secure and confident in sharing their thoughts.
Adaptability
Be open to new ideas and flexible in your approach.
Stay curious and keep updating your skills and knowledge.
Resilience
Focus on solutions and recovery after setbacks or failures.
Keep a positive outlook and encourage it in your team, even in tough times.
Communication
Express your ideas straightforwardly and ensure understanding.
Make open dialogue the “norm” and actively listen to feedback from your team.
Accountability
Take responsibility for your actions and their outcomes, both good and bad.
Encourage a culture where everyone is responsible for their roles and results.
Innovation
Create an environment where new ideas are welcomed and explored.
Be willing to experiment and try new approaches without fear of failure.
Empathy
Years ago I was put in as a brand new manager and my new team was facing a challenging issue with declining morale.
The main problem was that the team felt unheard and undervalued.
They were struggling to keep up with the shifting priorities and felt that their hard work was not being recognized by executive management.
This led to a drop in motivation and a sense of disconnection from the project's goals.
To address this, I decided to approach the situation with empathy.
Here’s how I did it.
Listening Actively:
I organized a meeting where I encouraged everyone to share their thoughts and feelings about the current situation.
I made sure to listen without interrupting and acknowledged their concerns.
I asked questions to understand their perspectives better and took notes on their feedback.
Seeing Their Side:
After gathering their feedback, I took the time to put myself in their shoes.
I reflected on how the frequent changes and lack of communication might be affecting their work and well-being.
This helped me understand their frustration and see the situation from their perspective.
Addressing Concerns:
I communicated these insights to the management team and worked with them to create a more stable project plan.
We agreed to minimize changes and improve our communication by providing regular updates and being transparent about the reasons behind any shifts in direction.
Showing Appreciation:
I made sure to recognize and appreciate the team's hard work and adaptability during these challenging times.
We celebrated small wins and acknowledged individual contributions publicly, which boosted morale.
Outcome:
By implementing these empathetic steps, the team's morale significantly improved.
They felt valued and understood, which led to increased motivation, better productivity, less stress, and more connection to their goals.
Here's how you can make it real over the next 4 days:
Day 1: Observe and Reflect
Choose one of the leadership elements you want to work on most this week.
Spend today observing situations related to the element you chose.
Reflect on how you and others display or lack this element.
Take notes on specific instances and how they made you feel or how they affected the team.
Example: If you chose "Empathy," observe how people respond to others' emotions and reflect on your own responses.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Today I'm focusing on observing how [insert element, e.g., Empathy] is shown in my workplace. Help me understand what behaviors and actions to look for, and how to reflect on them effectively.”
Day 2: Practice in a Small Way
Find a small, manageable way to practice your chosen element today.
Start with simple actions that you can easily incorporate into your routine.
Example: If you chose "Adaptability," try adjusting your approach to a minor task or accepting a small change without resistance.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Today I want to practice [insert element, e.g., Adaptability] in a small way. Suggest simple actions or steps I can take to start applying this element in my daily routine."
Day 3: Get Feedback
Ask a colleague or friend for feedback on how you demonstrated the element you are working on.
Be open to their input and ask for specific examples.
Example: If you chose "Communication," ask a team member if they felt your recent message was clear and engaging.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "I need to ask someone for feedback on how I've demonstrated [insert element, e.g., Communication]. Help me frame questions to get useful feedback and tips on how to be open to their input."
Day 4: Reflect and Plan Ahead
Reflect on your experiences over the past three days.
Consider what worked well and what challenges you faced.
Plan how you will continue to develop this element in your daily routine.
Example: If you chose "Resilience," think about the challenges you faced and how you bounced back. Plan how to maintain a positive outlook in future difficult situations.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Today I want to reflect on my progress with [insert element, e.g., Resilience] over the past few days. Help me think through what went well, what was challenging, and how I can plan to keep improving this element in the future."
Focusing on one element at a time will lead to significant transformations.
Even small shifts in how you lead will inspire and uplift those around you.
These changes may seem minor.
But collectively = they create a powerful impact on your team and your work culture.
Until next week and with lots of love,
Justin
This Week’s Growth Recommendations
Book To Read:
"Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown (see it here)
TED Talk to Watch
"What It Takes to Be a Great Leader" by Roselinde Torres (see it here)
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