Last Week's Leadership Lessons - February 12, 2024
John M. Jaramillo, MBA, MSOP
Leadership Performance Coach & Consultant | Leadership Design & Branding | Podcast Host??| Executive Advisor | Freelance Writer ?? | Speaker
Lessons From The Week of February 5th
This Week: 1. Wisdom / 2. Fear Forward / 3. Back On Track
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. Questioning Your Wisdom
In General
Collecting information and gaining knowledge are nothing without the ability to empower and transform yourself with them. And I don't mean collecting and building on that information. Wisdom, to me, is using and retaining what you've gained, and transforming it into something new, full of nuanced and intricate insights and views, for both your own use and sharing with others.
It fosters a targeted curiosity and awareness of yourself and others. As the article outlines, research has delineated the key components of wisdom. Even before taking any assessment, what do you make of the components listed, for yourself?
"Wisdom is not about intelligence but more your approach to what you do with -- and how you handle -- information, ability, and awareness."
In Leadership
Again, leadership is about awareness. Wisdom is not about intelligence but more your approach to what you do with -- and how you handle -- information, ability, and awareness. Even hard information like data can have wisdom applied to it in how you view the results based on your past experiences and best practices. What do you see now based on what you learned then?
And how does wisdom apply to leadership? Just look at the components listed in the article -- they're all facets of leadership. I look for the wisdom of a leader in how they're going to interact those they work with, and transform them. That it's not just about the work today, but what others will take away and how they will grow. The ripple effect. Wisdom is also knowing what you don't know; you're confident in what you know but are open to continued learning.
Where do you see the wisdom in your leadership? How are you crafting things in a way that's uniquely yours based on what you've learned to date?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
2. Fear Can Drive Us Forward
In General
Fear, like anxiety, can be turned into a tool for good use. Most sensations that make us feel off are warning signs that something is not right, and we need a change. But THAT'S not the issue.
The issue comes when we feel that sensation and do nothing about it but stew as the alarms blare and reverberate inside us. Fear is a trigger that we need to get out of that situation. We need to get our shit together, make a plan, and keep the source of the sensation at bay, or get it resolved. It serves a purpose. It works for us -- if we allow it to. There can be usefulness in areas -- and feelings -- we may not see at first.
"One of the worst things that can happen in leadership is not allowing yourself to be human."
In Leadership
One of the worst things that can happen in leadership is not allowing yourself to be human. To feel everyday sensations and insecurities -- and what are natural human emotions -- without feeling like you're less-than or weak.
If you feel that sensation of fear getting stronger, do something (per the article: Get real, Make a plan, Ask around.). Yes, this article is about fear in business, but it's applicable to the way we run our everyday lives, work, and leadership.
In the situations where you've felt fear and uncertainty, in hindsight, where were the resources you could have tapped into to offset that fear and embolden yourself?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
3. Getting Back On Track
In General
This article is about New Year's Resolutions, but we've all fallen off the wagon in so many different areas throughout the year, whether it be in fitness, relationship, familial, or work commitments. We have one path in mind to take but end up lollygagging down another. We cave at the first sign of pressure or stress, or it turns out other areas of life and work take priority.
But we know what we need to do. We know what's best for us. We know where we should be focusing. Sure, there will be areas that completely fall off because we were never meant to go down those routes, and our heart wasn't in them. But then there are times where we reassess things and know we should go back and re-commit to the right ones. But how?
"...there always seems to be that one thing we know we should be going back to."
In Leadership
Priorities, energy levels, circumstances all change. The world changes around us. But there always seems to be that one thing we know we should be going back to. That can happen especially in leadership, where we give away our time and energy to the priority of the situation but forget to go back and pick up what might've fallen by the wayside, whether for ourselves or the group.
This article goes into accountability and thinking beyond the short-term to help pick things up again. Leaders reassess regularly. What's working? Why? What isn't? Why? What's in the past that has or could've worked? We tend to know what we have to do. When it's hard to start (or restart), we just need a plan.
What is it you would like to pick back up again? What do you think you'll do differently this time?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Honorable Mention
Phrases Of Unhappiness
In Leadership
Leadership is about listening -- to oneself and to others. We all may be going through the motions and getting the work done, but what might be going on under the surface, and which signals might exist in our language and behavior, providing the slightest indication of what's really going on? One of the greatest parts I respect of the great leaders I've worked with or seen in action is their ability to go beyond the work and listen and watch for cues -- words, temperament, body language -- of those they're working with. This article focuses on happiness, but our awareness can be for any other feeling impacting the person.
Which of these phrases -- or any others -- might you be hearing (or using yourself), indicating that something is off and needs to be addressed?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Book
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Honorable Mention
Your Biggest Weakness
In Leadership
Reflecting on weaknesses, such a sensitive area of development, can show so much. It can show you how reflective you are with your life and work. It can show how honest and authentic you are with yourself. It can show you just how much you trust people to varying degrees based on how much you'll share of yourself. Only once you get to the point of admitting what the weakness, or blind spot, or set back is, can you then address it. There is strength in admitting what your biggest weakness is. It's confidence in knowing that when you admit it, you're confident enough to continue working on it, and no one can take anything away from you -- well, not the right people, anyway. The right people will appreciate the honesty, the authenticity, and the drive to work to offset any weakness(es).
Are you able to share what your biggest weakness is? Why or why not? How easily? With whom? Why?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
领英推荐
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.
Increasing Leadership Credibility
In Leadership
Our default urges tend to make us think the more effort we put into something, the more its importance will be seen, and the urgency and expertise in our steps witnessed and appreciated. But aside from getting the job done -- and doing it well, at that -- it's important, if you want your leadership (and not just management) to be seen, to be thoughtful and intentional about what that really looks like. My view of leadership is, again, working on ourselves and demonstrating those values, energies, and intentionality to others. It's important to keep in mind where we want that intentionality put on full display for others to feel and appreciate. To be changed by. Aside from getting the work done, what are they experiencing in your approach?
What steps do you take to work ON your leadership, not just IN your leadership?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Last 10 LWLL Posts...
February 5, 2024 - 1. Be Seen & Heard / 2. Smart x Low Self-Esteem / 3. "I Don't Know"
January 29, 2024 - 1. Changing Someone's Mind / 2. Self-Worth / 3. Lessons Learned
January 22, 2024 - 1. Manifesting Success / 2. Better Life Rules / 3. Creativity vs. Certainty
January 15, 2024 - 1. Unstoppable / 2. Victimhood / 3. Impatience
January 8, 2024 - 1. Poor Attention / 2. Unemployment Mental Health / 3. Switching Off
January 2, 2024 - 1. Accomplishing Goals / 2. Meltdowns / 3. Embracing Change
December 11, 2023 - 1. Overcomplication / 2. Overthinking / 3. Flow
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
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.
A Retirement Goodbye Note
Linda Wertheimer, an NPR Founding mother, retires after 50 years. An incredible journey with so much having been seen and reported on in that time. Here's her good-bye message. Thinking ahead and wondering what we want our lookback to look like later can drive how we approach life, work, business, and leadership today.
When everything is said and done in your career, how would YOUR goodbye note read?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
The Fragments Of Who You Are
We typically don't show 100% of who we are in any of our environments. We adjust based on the audience and need. What we show can be strategic or subconscious based on our energy or comfort or other environmental factors.
How do you choose where and when to show which fragments? And how do you adjust those levels according to what would serve you, and others, better?
Check Out The Article HERE!
ReSearch Your World
It's always good to keep in mind what research, science, and studies are 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.
Assuming The Worst In Others
Yeah, you won't have a brain scan readily available to confirm this finding in yourself, but if we pay attention to our bodies, we can recognize subtle shifts in thoughts, (dis)comfort, energy, focus, etc., when we come into a situation or encounter someone. We can experience a range of feelings depending on who we're working with. Instead of just gritting down, sucking it up, and going through the motions, this is just a reminder to take stock of how you feel around (and towards) people, and how you can address it.
How does each encounter cause shifts in how you yourself feel and think, especially about others?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Graphic Finds
Here's a few graphics I came across this week that painted a great picture, breaking down information and bringing to life a great idea clearly for our understanding. A visual helps make an idea pop, allowing us to see multiple moving parts at once. As always, it may not be perfect -- including everything we'd like to see or possibly including some things we'd rather not consider. But, at the very least, it gets us thinking and talking about the topic.
10 Signs Of A Toxic Work Culture
I found this graphic in the Excellence Talks group feed.
Most people may only recognize the most obvious signs a toxic work culture/workplace -- the loud, the verbal, the egregious. Aside from those signs that have the most impact, they should look around for and consider whether there are other behaviors present. This can allow them to either deal with each one or decide what their next move may be if changes can't be made. Hopefully, it goes without saying that leaders, not having the everyday experience within the group dynamic, should keep a look out for these signs before everything becomes completely unraveled.
Which of these signs do you see in your environments, regardless of whether or not it's a workplace? What are you doing to offset them?
Find the graphic 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.
The Book Leads Podcast - Season 3: Coming Soon!
This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.
Some of my guests in Season 3 include:
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.
This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.
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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