Last Week's Leadership Lessons - December 11, 2023
John M. Jaramillo, MBA, MSOP
Leadership Performance Coach & Consultant | Leadership Design & Branding | Podcast Host??| Executive Advisor | Freelance Writer ?? | Speaker
Lessons From The Week of December 4th
This Week: 1. Overcomplication / 2. Overthinking / 3. Flow
Reader Beware: If you've been here before, you know the drill. Please feel free to jump right on ahead to the list of stories. If not, read from here on to understand what I'm trying to capture in the Last Week's Leadership Lessons series.
Talking about leadership can be repetitive and boring as hell!
We're always seeing and hearing the same old definitions, constructs, and formal tips related to and regurgitated about the leadership field, every so often punctuated by a perpetually rotating door of the latest industry buzzwords.
Even with all its great energy and intention, the themes and hopes of the leadership discipline, admittedly, can become a little monotonous -- without great stories and living examples to wake them up.
(Granted, I post about them as well. Guilty. So I guess maybe I mean "overkill." The?overkill?of your run-of-the-mill leadership ideas is what I'm trying to supplement -- and maybe unlock -- here through more unique takes and lenses.)
Hence why I launched this series.
The way the world is going, I think it's essential to think about and take in more lessons on humanity in general than leadership specifically.
In this series, I want to capture themes and ideas for leadership -- while being particularly cautious that they not be necessarily conveyed as leadership lessons in the articles or sources I cite. I want to find examples that demonstrate more lessons about HUMANITY than the usual script of clichéd leadership building blocks.
The way the world is going, I think it's essential to think about and take in more lessons on humanity in general than leadership specifically. And it's not like I'm forsaking one for the other; the former should inform and be the foundation for the latter. (That's just me. That's just my take.)
And to be clear, these valuable lessons, as I express them, aren't carved in stone. My translations aren't absolute. They can't be. It's not that simple. I think that's what gets us in trouble when it comes to learning (or not) about society and each other: Most issues are typically seen as black and white, left and right, up and down, one side or the other. But again, it's not that simple. Not everything can be. We force it to be that way.
In most instances -- not all, but in most -- there is room for interpretation and different ideas and views to be exchanged somewhere on the middle ground. More nuance exists than we typically see -- or will admit.
And in that nuance there's beauty. Because in that nuance we can learn from each other. And because of that nuance, each of my interpretations is just one option for consideration in that middle ground of learning.
All that being said, below are three articles I came across last week that have valuable lessons for leadership, purpose, and expression. In reading these pieces, you may find the lessons for leadership do not immediately stand out or reveal themselves -- and that's because lessons can range from the loud, obvious, and obnoxious to the subtle, unassuming, and hidden. In my breakdowns below I'll first cover the idea In General and then it's applicability In Leadership.
...it never hurts to continue learning from your fellow human beings, whether you know them or not.
And although the source materials are not all leadership-related per se, they can all apply to leadership -- in terms of how you present yourself, navigate through life and work, and move, impact, inspire, and appreciate others.
Even if you feel you've already crafted your leadership to where you want it to be and the results clearly show it -- where others can get behind them and vouch for you -- it never hurts to continue learning from your fellow human beings, whether you know them or not.
Gestures, speeches, action, inaction, decisions, announcements, etc. They all tie in.
So bear with me. Some of them might seem like a stretch. But have some faith that I may be crazy -- but not?too?crazy.
This practice is merely effort to learn about ourselves, where we can improve, and how we can evolve.
Lessons are everywhere.
1. Why Do You Have To Be OVERComplicated?
In General
This article. This one right here. Whether intended or not, it's brilliant. It makes a strong case about how we overcomplicate everything. From the outset, it had me. (Or, I wanted it to have me.) I was hooked into what it was saying (or where I thought it was going). And then it just went sideways. I stopped reading. It got...overcomplicated.
In any case, I think it's an important article to share with an important point to make -- to show how easily we can lose someone when trying to share information, especially when they're messages, visions, and communications that are so important. Again, whether intended or not -- and maybe the joke's on me -- it makes its case perfectly. We overcomplicate EVERYTHING.
It's not sacrificing quality but more about hitting the high points and stepping back to see what can be built from the space you've granted instead of drowning the message by overdoing it.
In Leadership
We've all been guilty of it since beginning our communications journey -- using big words, providing too much information, and becoming verbose in our explanations, believing they would reflect or enhance our credibility. Maybe as we're learning writing, storytelling, and communications, we think "the more, the better." I think most of us, though, as we get older, can appreciate the power of simplicity and that doing less gets you more. It's not sacrificing quality but more about hitting the high points and stepping back to see what can be built from the space you've granted instead of drowning the message by overdoing it.
The work a leader oversees may be complex, but the messaging doesn't have to be. If anything, if the work is complex, it helps to keep messaging simple so all the stakeholders can follow along in the story and understand it enough to share or pay it forward.
How do you keep your messaging balanced -- simple yet effective -- so as to not lose any of your stakeholders?
Check Out The Article HERE!
2. Let's Think About Overthinking
In General
Overthinking sucks. Doubting yourself, being indecisive, holding yourself back, wasting time, delaying action. Whatever the origin and source of that engrained programming was in the past, it's pitting you against yourself today.
This isn't to say some deep thinking serves no purpose. Taking the time to think things through works to your benefit, of course. We just want to make sure the analysis doesn't lead to paralysis, that it's reasonable and balanced yet time-aware and urgent. The result of not taking action can be worse than that of doing something, even if things don't work out with the steps taken on the quicker side. Overthinking can lead to frustration, confusion, and regret.
Whatever the origin and source of that engrained programming was in the past, it's pitting you against yourself today.
In Leadership
It can be a tricky transition to and through leadership -- doubting yourself still, not seeing yourself as a growing expert or specialist in your area. One of the biggest problems teams tend to have with their leaders is hesitation and/or lack of communication, whether it's lack of acknowledgement...or the inability to decide definitively on a course of action.
But if a leader does their due diligence and things don't work out, they'll be met with more understanding, consideration, and even forgiveness (if there's an issue) than they would have imagined. Leadership should use their people as a sounding board, opening up that transparency and inclusion, not feeling like they're taking the entirety of the decision (and consequences) on themselves.
How are you at trusting your gut? Where things didn't work out in the past, did you look back and consider how you could have looked at things differently and trusted yourself more?
Check Out The Article HERE!
3. Finding Your Even Flow
In General
As I get older, in working with clients, doing my own work, or talking with friends and colleagues, I've come to appreciate the importance of energy in life. I'm not even talking about physical energy; that seems to be the least important when we're talking about energy and flow.
When we channel who we really are and what we really want, things just....flow. We get lost in what we're doing, who we are. We're on cruise control. A high, if you will. It's an amazing sensation and experience. It can even you out, channeling energy that would otherwise remain stagnant and leave you uneasy. For each of us, it looks different, so each of us should consider and look for what it is that puts us in that state of flow.
Flow is the reason why...You enjoy something, get lost in it, almost hypnotized in how you navigate through it.
In Leadership
It's been said that when you're doing what you're meant to do, it doesn't feel like work. Flow is the reason why. You enjoy something, get lost in it, almost hypnotized in how you navigate through it. It's as if you don't have to think. You connect with something -- a piece of work, an action, or a person -- that seems to complete you so that you're firing on all cylinders, seemingly without effort or thinking. When you're done, it feels like you had blacked out and you're waking up out of a trance-like state. (Think Frank the Tank during the debate scene in the movie Old School.)
In leadership, you can find that sensation in a team, an organization, a mission, a project, a message -- whatever it might be that leads you to dive in completely. Most times, the frustration my clients feel turns out to be that they haven't found what that thing is, or they don't have the bravery or confidence in that moment to seek it out. But once they do, uffffffffff. It's off to the races!
Whether in your leadership position or in your personal life, where do you find your flow?
Related Books
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Check Out The Article HERE!
Honorable Mention
Messing Up
In Leadership
We all mess up. In most cases, the causes could have been avoided or anticipated, so we can take those mess-up's as learning opportunities. Beyond the "mess-up," we tend to dwell on what happened, replaying the worst moments repeatedly in our heads -- some even cringeworthy and that we'll find hard to let ourselves live down. There will be different levels of severity, of course. But, in general, how do you move past your mistakes and slip-up's? As a leader, being able to show that type of self-assessment, regulation, and learning can set a great tone for others who are watching. To move forward, how do you sort through the noise and chaos of what a mess-up can feel like?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Honorable Mention
The Need To Focus On Mental Health
In Leadership
Mental health these days -- how do we understand that of others, and how do we understand our own?
Here's a reminder to take some time for yourself. Maybe it doesn't need to be a full day, a half day, or any time away at all. You might just need to tweak some minor things, be around different people, or switch things up completely. How do you listen for what you need? How do you respect what others might need? If you don't feel right for yourself, it'll limit the effectiveness you have for (and with) everyone else.
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Check Out The Article HERE!
That's it! Those are the main articles for this week.
What other examples of leadership lessons – maybe even those that aren’t so apparent and obvious – do you come across in your everyday life and work?
What have you read lately that offers some insight on being human and navigating life -- and yes, by default, leadership.
Reach out to me and let me know what you think of these. Please share your own if you've found articles or stories with great lessons or insights that can contribute to how we carry ourselves through our lives and work.
Okay...A Leadership Article
Okay, yes. I had to include an article that is focused on leadership. At least one.
Organizations & Trust Issues
So many of the steps leaders and organizations can take to improve and maintain their relationships with stakeholders of all stripes are within their reach, simple, and straightforward. Most times when trust is lost, it's a matter of sloppiness, laziness, and ignorance that gets the leaders in trouble. They took for granted and lost focus on what mattered most -- the people. The actions of the leaders set the tone for the operation of the organization, which impacts the culture (and reputation) of that organization intentionally.
What steps are you taking every day to establish trust in your organization, both within its walls and in the eyes of the outside world?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes:
Network Conversations With...The Connext Exchange
During its weekly meeting this week, attendees of The Connext Exchange discussed the Exchange of Energy. In our time together, each person was able to share their definition of energy, what it meant to them, how they used it, where they got theirs from, etc. Energy, it's purpose and function, and how it looks, feels, and is carried varied from person to person. The terms lifeforce, pilot light, and flow were each mentioned by different people as descriptors of how they see and describe energy.
How do YOU fuel up on Energy? How do you guard against its unintended or adverse depletion? How are you listening to your body, mind, and heart when it comes to what your needs are when it comes to energy? How do you find your inner flow?
Thank you to Rebecca Lee, Jess, Steve, Angela, and Lidia, for the time, shares, and insights.
I highly recommend you pay The Connext Exchange a visit. It was the community's openness, transparency, diversity, and curiosity in conversations that inspired me to launch The Book Leads Podcast. Anyone can attendee, and it's FREE to register.
Learn More About The Connext Exchange:
The Connext Exchange is a diverse community that's invested in powerful conversations and meaningful connections to help shape the world to be one that prioritizes more humanity, generosity and purpose. We host weekly conversations on Thursdays, 11:30a-12:30p, live on Zoom (Register: bit.ly/theconnextexchange). Stay through 1p for casual conversation following the 60-min program.
@connextexchange on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Because...Science
It's always good to keep in mind what science is showing us. Yes, things change from time to time, with new studies and research leading to new discoveries and conclusions -- and rethinking! But knowing what's being looked at and studied can help us consider what we're experiencing and seeing in our own lives and work. It keeps us curious about ourselves.
Excessive Optimism
A great approach to anything always needs to be tempered -- hoping for the good while being realistic about the bad, and not proceeding forward blinded by what the desire is. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst -- preparation for what you desire and preparation for survival in case things go sideways. And that "survival" isn't as dire as it sounds; it's not always life or death. It can mean being agile, ready with a contingency plan, anticipating different results to avoid as much disruption as possible.
Its great to be positive, but there is a limit. If someone refuses to see anything but the positive in anything, it can blind them to reality. Even my guests on The Book Leads Podcast who have dealt with conflict resolution note that while they want to achieve a result for the greater good and they have tools to work in that direction, they can't be Pollyannish about it. How do you monitor your positive attitude to ensure your desire for a great result is not blinding you to other factors in your environment?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes:
Last 10 LWLL Posts...
December 4, 2023 - 1. Insecurity / 2. Uncertainty / 3. Authority
November 27, 2023 - 1. Overcoming / 2. Regression / 3. Over-Efficiency
November 20, 2023 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING - 1. Loneliness / 2. Asking For Support / 3. Gratitude
November 13, 2023 - 1. What Others Think / 2. Constructive Criticism / 3. Legacy
November 6, 2023 - 1. Moving Forward / 2. Pitching Yourself / 3. Hope
October 23, 2023 - 1. Urgency / 2. Workplace Toxicity / 3. Boundaries
October 16, 2023 - 1. Designing Life / 2. Communication / 3. Stepping Up
October 9, 2023 - 1. Reading People / 2. Stop Overthinking / 3. Healing
October 2, 2023 - 1. Presence / 2. Negative Feedback / 3. Innovation
July 31, 2023 - 1. Non-Verbal Illiteracy / 2. Discomfort / 3. Silence
July 24, 2023 - 1. Play / 2. A Better Person / 3. First Impressions
What Do YOU Think?
What are your thoughts on these topics? Again, like everything else in this newsletter, the ideas here may not come to mind immediately when you think of leadership, but there's a place for them. These stories and questions ask us to consider how we see, interact with, and influence people -- and leadership is all about people. Sometimes, all it takes is a great prompt or a simple question to have us think about (or rethink) areas of our lives.
Over-Collaboration
With so many tools for communication, it's easy to get sucked into easily dragging everyone into every correspondence and on every attempt to coordinate work and messaging. In terms of managing collaboration, how are you doing so efficiently, making sure not to stretch anyone's attention span (including yours) beyond where it really needs to go?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Bosses & The Fight For Power
COVID-19 shifted society's mindset when it comes to such things as remote working, work-life balance, and work (and life) values. It seems some are falling back into old mindsets. Where do you stand in leading your team? How do you monitor and assess those factors post-pandemic?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Follow-Up On Past Editions
Here are some follow-up articles that build on, supplement, or intersect with topics covered in previous editions.
There's always a different take or angle to help us refine and build upon a discussion we've had in the past. We can bring either some reinforcement, clarity, or questions to past understandings. Because I just give you the articles and how they connect to previous editions, I leave you to figure out, much how I break down the lessons above, how to extract the lessons for your own leadership.
Latest Episodes of The Book Leads - Tom Hine
Episode 80: Tom Hine, CFP?, CFS?, MBA & His Book, The Balanced Wealth Approach: Secrets To Living Long And Living Rich
In this episode, Tom, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER?, author, and founder and CEO of Capital Wealth Management, shares with me how there should be comparable focus on both wealth and health when it comes to our futures -- even in his field of wealth management.
Through his own journey in finance (the numbers) and karate, meditation, yoga (the physical and the mind), he demonstrates that he's living what he's preaching.
The message he shares with his clients, into which he does a deep dive with me here, is a great reminder that we can't take anything for granted. The world is changing, and so how we respond to and live within it also needs to change and become both more intentional and mindful. "You need a 5G mindset to live within a 5G world."
Conversation Highlights
The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Tom is, How are you focusing on health in order to move forward with longevity, ensuring you're not taking what you have for granted?
Also included in the podcast article:
I'm always looking for a good read full of great and impactful lessons.
Here is the list of books I've gotten into in 2023. Reach out if you'd like to come on?The Book Leads?or if you know anyone you'd recommend for that conversation.
What are you reading these days?
Learn more about The Book Leads Podcast.
The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Successful Soul Professional Book
This amazing collaborative anthology launched?in July! Order your copy here!
In my chapter, I break down what inspired my signature talk, Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection,?digging into my story -- and that of and with my parents -- to understand what's behind the way I interact with those in my network, serving them as if they were my clients.
Check out this podcast appearance I recently made leading up to the launch with book publisher Laura Di Franco and fellow co-author Heidi Metro!
The days of traditional networking, where we memorize our elevator pitch and repeat it to everyone we encounter, hoping to gain something only for ourselves, are over.
Our network should be at the top of our client list. We need to elevate their work and reputation as much as our own to build a solid and effective ecosystem of connections, relationships, and success.
About The Book Leads Podcast
On The Book Leads podcast, I speak to specialists and experts across various industries and from varied backgrounds to learn about the book that made an impact and left an impression on their work, life, and leadership. In the course of my conversation I also learn about my guest's background, experience, and work they're carrying out today.
Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:
About Me
I'm a Leadership Performance Coach and Consultant at coachitout.com.?In addition to coaching, and as you can see above, I enjoy writing, podcasting, and speaking about leadership. Specifically, I work with clients to realize what they're all about when it comes to (1) new positions they've been hired or promoted into; and (2) rediscovering what they want out of their leadership, development, and career.
My signature talks include Design Your Leadership! Nine Ways to Sharpen Your Leadership Brand In The Everyday, and Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection.
Please subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!
Reach out to me at [email protected].
Leadership Performance Coach & Consultant | Leadership Design & Branding | Podcast Host??| Executive Advisor | Freelance Writer ?? | Speaker
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