Do You Lead Your Life?

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 7:51 PM by Betty Brennan in Professional and Industry Tips


What kind of leader are you?

I have been thinking a lot lately about leadership.  I’ve wondered about how I am doing, what else do I want to improve, and so forth.  I have forewarned my management team that I will ask them what kind of leaders they want to be in their next coaching session.  In reality leadership applies to everyone.  You are the leader of your own life.  What kind of life do you want to live?  What kind of person do you want to be?  Here are some of the questions I told them I may ask in their next coaching session:

  1. Who do you want to be and become?

  2. What behaviors do you need to get there?

  3. Are you getting what you want?

  4. Are the costs too high?

  5. What are the barriers?

  6. What might keep you from achieving your goals?

  7. What activities should you delegate to others?

How do these questions apply to your life?  Do you know your weaknesses and strengths?  How are you spending your time?  Does it match your key priorities?

Self-awareness is the cornerstone of leadership.  I shared some Shakespeare with my team after reading about leadership lessons learned from Henry V by Richard Smith.  He says to be an effective leader you must look into your soul to understand your values and what is most important to you.  You have to be with yourself, preferably in solitude and quiet.  I suggested they take a walk in the woods (or prairie) and think.  Henry says, “I and my bosom must debate awhile.”  He must listen to his head and heart.

Shakespeare says in Hamlet, “To thine ownself be true.”  I was recently described as a Patton versus an Abrams as my leadership style.  Patton was more a technician.  Abrams was more a people person.  At first, I wanted to be both.  After self-reflection and input from my trusted advisors, I realized Patton probably could never be Abrams and vice versa.  I am who I am at the core.  Do you know who you are at the core?  This doesn’t mean you cannot improve, be more, do more and become more.  However, you are you at your core.  Do you know what your core values are?

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