Embracing Your Inner Example

You aren’t just a leader.? You’re an example.

In the fast-paced world of business, the role of a CEO extends far beyond simply managing operations. You're also a leader, and a role model for your team.?

Your actions, decisions, and behaviors set the tone for your organization and significantly impact its success.?

The idea of having to be an example is honestly scary to many of us and if you feel resistance, you aren’t alone!

There's a common myth that leaders are born, not made.?

This myth suggests that leadership skills are innate, and people are simply born with the ability to lead. We have an image in our head of a "heroic" leader who possesses exceptional charisma and talent.

If you aren't someone who looks in the mirror and say to yourself, “Gheez, there’s just so much charisma and talent here”, you might be reluctant to believe you are a worthy front-and-centre example.

In truth, leadership is not an inherent trait; it's a set of skills and behaviors that can be learned and developed over time. And that’s good news for every one of us!

Most successful CEOs and executives were not born into leadership but grew into their roles through hard work, perseverance, and experience.?? Startup founders and CEOS especially are prone to find themseves with more leadership skills required than business acumen.

This is so increasingly know that in fact, a full 39% of CEOs now hire an executive performance coach to help them become better leaders in the specific areas where it doesn't come naturally.

This gives each of us the incredible chance to lead -- while learning to lead.

Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, is a prime example of how leadership isn't about being a born hero, but rather about overcoming obstacles and leveraging one's unique strengths.?

For many years, he struggled academically due to dyslexia.? He perceived his dyslexia as a definite disadvantage. The way it affected his reading, writing, and spelling abilities, made traditional academic learning challenging for him.

But he made a decision to see his dyslexia not as a hindrance, but as a "superpower" that fueled his success.

This shift in perspective was pivotal for Branson. In an interview published last summer in Robb Report, he says he honed the belief that his differently wired brain was actually an asset in the world of business.?

He gives some of the credit for his success directly to his dyslexia believing that his choice to focus on what he was passionate about and then seeking to create innovative solutions is one of the crucial skills he now has that has enabled him to be very successful.

Branson's journey with dyslexia also inspired him to become an advocate for others with the condition. He has brought awareness and inspiration to individuals with dyslexia and often speaks out as a positive voice for young people who have dyslexia.

Richard Branson's story is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about being a born hero, but about learning, growing, and leveraging our unique strengths to overcome challenges and achieve success.

He is clear enough in his language and actions that he sets a clear example for his own company employees, his family and grandchildren as well as for his competitors.

When we think of being a leader to our staff, we can get caught up in anxiety over setting the standard in productivity, sales goals, emotional resilience and everything else we see a perfect leader as being.

But what our teams need most is that we set an example in:

• Never giving up.
• Soliciting support when we need it.
• Retraining our habits.
• Choosing compassion for ourselves.
• And flipping perceived “weaknesses” into strengths like Richard Branson did.

You are in a unique position in your company as leader.? My advice is that you use it to exemplify what matters most.

Because skills can be learned, you are only a few decisions away from choosing habits and ways of being that will change your own satisfaction and peace level in the office. You can retrain your brain to wire in those decisions so they seem to come naturally. I see this happen with my private executive clients and their teams all the time as we work together

Imagine for a moment how your business will accelerate growth as your staff follows the example you can set of always seeking to be your best and getting help when you need it.

That's what will happen when you choose to not just be a leader, but to be an example.

You make the world a better place when you lead like that -- so thank you!

Cheers!

~Chris.

By the way, if the following describes you ----

• You want to develop your leadership skills so you accelerate growth at your company and set a good example for your staff.
• You want to boost your career to new heights, but not at the cost of your free time or personal life.
• You believe that it is time to learn the skills you need that will not only accelerate your company growth but give you a leg up on the competition.

-- you probably are thinking you are ready for a one-on-one chat with me. If that's the case, please reach out and message me. Just say, "Chris, can we chat about my leadership".

Today is always the best day to begin growing to the next level!