On our pursuit of being a life-long learner, both personally and professionally, we encounter certain days that might provide us with some reflection and leadership reminders at the same time. If interested to learn 10 Leadership lessons when reflecting on Halloween:
- We all wear masks and transparency is something employees and colleagues are looking for in a leader or team member
- The Mirror – We all look at it many times before going out in a costume (if you do that kind of thing) and similarly, when there is an office or team problem we need to start with the one we see in the reflection
- Collaboration – we most often trick or treat with someone else so we have to cooperate to determine where we will go, for how long, and which direction to take
- Safety Oversight – We don’t have to micromanage but at the end of the day we better check the candy (product) before we eat it (sell it or buy it)
- Facing the Fears – We all remember that feeling of walking up to a house and ringing the bell. Leadership and going forward together takes confidence
- Courage – “Are you really going to wear that?” The costume we choose, the clothes we wear, the decisions we make all take confidence
- Determination – Pursuit of a certain amount of candy, a certain type…you might have to do an extra dozen houses to get that full sized candy bar…but it’s worth it
- Ignoring the Environment – Sometimes you have to trick or treat when it rains. Sometimes you have to step up your leadership when the money or collaboration is raining down and the problem are
- Creativity – How creative is your costume or maybe the decorations. How creative is your leadership and how do you inspire creativity from your teams and colleagues
- Giving out Treats – While there are no freebies (maybe Halloween is one of the exceptions) it is an opportunity to remind us that as leaders we need to be dealing in people’s currency. Just like some can’t stand candy corn and a small percentage of die-hards do, doesn’t matter. What matters is understanding what each individual wants so that you can connect, share, listen and reward them in a way that matters to them.
Every day, even Halloween, is an opportunity to learn, grow and sometimes just get a good reminder. If you celebrate the occasion have fun! AND, if you do not, have fun with whatever you do (when you turn the lights off at 6:30pm and pretend you are not home, lol).
Have a great day, much love!
