Last Week's Leadership Lessons - January 2, 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 December 25th
This Week:?1. Accomplishing Goals / 2. Meltdowns / 3. Embracing Change
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. Accomplishing Goals
In General
It's that time of year again -- the time to set new resolutions, list new goals, and strategize to achieve our desired results. To decide what we're going to accomplish this year.
This gets so old.
I say that because, for most of us those resolutions don't stick -- as much as we would like them to. We start out strong -- eating right, working out, getting our resumes together, changing our attitudes, going through whatever motions we feel we need to -- but end up slowing down, losing track, and falling short.
Goals shouldn't only be left for the business itself; we should be tracking how we ourselves have grown and the areas where we've both grown and fallen short.
In Leadership
Yes, resolutions are mostly known to fall into the personal realm, but leaders, like with their mission, business, and strategic goals, can also set up new goals (or benchmarks) for themselves. (Experiment with whatever work you want to do to achieve your desired results.)
"...only what gets measured, gets managed." (Peter Drucker)
People will argue against that quote for any myriad of reasons. Everyone always has their own preference for how messages should be conveyed and if they're effective. It's the intention we need to consider.
In general, this is about tracking what your leadership has looked like in the past months, over the last year, 2 years, 5 years, etc. Goals shouldn't only be left for the business itself; we should be tracking how we ourselves have grown and the areas where we've both thrived and fallen short, ready to retry and rework what we're doing accordingly. Consider yourself your most important experiment.
What are your leadership goals for the year?
Related Books
Check Out The Article HERE!
2. Learning From Meltdowns
In General
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is wonderful -- intercepting invasive emotional triggers before they hijack our minds and bodies, leading to visceral, loud, and likely regrettable reactions.
As much as we might not want them to happen -- and we catch most of them -- there will be times where they get away from us, and we give into that primal reaction deeply programmed in our DNA. What are we going to do with those moments?
EI doesn't mean you have it all figured out, or that you don't feel anything, or that you can absorb all those negative feelings to no end. It's an ability to pause.
In Leadership
Losing your cool as a leader can happen, whether reacting emotionally to a result or toward another person. The reactions can range from a look to yelling to who-knows-what-else. Not everything is excusable, but if we do lose our cool, that's a learning moment. The only thing worse than the meltdown is not taking the opportunity to reflect on and learn from it.
EI doesn't mean you have it all figured out, or that you don't feel anything, or that you can absorb all those negative feelings without limit. It's simply an ability to pause. That's it. That's all. It's a prologue to the deep work that's required in moving forward to learn about and anticipate one's triggers to then minimize, defuse, or blunt their impact. Because of the impact and influence leaders have on others, this self-work is of utmost importance in their duties.
Can you look back and find moments where you've lost your cool? How have you worked to minimize and/or neutralize your triggers?
Related Book
Check Out The Article HERE!
3. Embracing Change
In General
We're all wired so differently from one another when it comes to appreciating change. Some of us are creatures of habit, desiring to stick to what we know and what has worked, while the rest of us prefer to explore beyond the boundaries of of our immediate world.
For those of us resisting change, the reasons can be many (highlighted in the article). Where we've come from, what we've seen, and what we've experienced can shape how much we're willing to step beyond the predictability of the familiar.
It all depends on the person.
Leaders don't HAVE to change; it's when they won't even consider a different view, approach, or lens, though, that it becomes a problem, though.
In Leadership
Changing can lead to learning about oneself. We can learn about our strengths, weaknesses, blind spots, etc. Leaders don't HAVE to change; but it's when they won't even consider a different view, approach, or lens that it becomes a problem. It's in their best interest.
A leader's being willing -- and open -- to change can unlock visibility and opportunity. Our stubbornness can do us in. It limits our growth, development, wisdom. Admittedly, it's almost cliché to say all this here, leaving it so general and open. The best case would be to have a discussion with each of you to learn how you view and live with/through change.
How do you view changes -- with fear or with excitement?
Related Book
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Check Out The Article HERE!
Honorable Mention
Sharing Your Saga
In Leadership
Don Schmincke, in Episode 80 of The Book Leads, shared that in his research of leadership and ancient societies, and in his studies of thriving organizations and autopsies of those which have failed, he found that it is not one's leadership style that dictates success or failure. Instead, it is the story the leader tells. That it's not the leader but the message, vision, and saga they unfurl for those around them that makes the most difference. What's your story? What saga are you crafting for those witnessing your work, career, and life? How intentionally and strategically are you crafting that message?
Related Books
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Check Out The Article HERE!
Honorable Mention
Anti-Goals
In Leadership
This article reminds us to consider the extremes in any situation and to know what it is we don't want. That it's just as important to be as familiar with what we want to stay away from as it is to know what we trying to pursue. If we don't do that, the landscape can become clutter and noisy and we lose clarity and discipline, muddying the work that needs to be done and the focus required to get to our desired end. It's important to keep away from those things, projects, or people that are going to siphon off energy from the task at hand.
There's always a power to knowing the opposite side. When it comes to leaders, Don Schmincke (Episode 80) shares that it's important for leaders to know how to lose when it comes to their work to win. I drew a parallel between that idea and what Don shared about the ancient Samurai, who, in their code of discipline sought to understand death first before working toward a more virtuous and intentional life. It's understanding (and coming to peace with) what we don't want so we can appreciate and focus on what we do want. (Similar to what Tim Ferriss shared HERE when it comes to fear.)
Related Books
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.
领英推荐
Okay...A Leadership Article
Okay, yes. I had to include an article that is focused on leadership. At least one.
Michael Jordan vs. Larry Bird
This is just a reminder to look back at the leaders you've experienced and worked alongside to consider how effective each was while cross-comparing their nuances. We can always learn from those around us in their demonstration of attributes we admire while keeping in mind those we want to avoid. And we can't emulate them; those attributes would look different on us if we try to wear them without truly learning and feeling them. But looking back is a reminder to be more proactive about what we want to take on, who we want to be, and how we want to impact others.
How do you look at and analyze your previous leaders?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Network Conversations With...My Masterclass In Humanity
This week I began sending out emails to guests for scheduling recording sessions for the upcoming 3rd(!) season of The Book Leads Podcast, which will launch in March.
I want to take this time between seasons to thank both all the guests who have appeared on the series and the listeners/viewers who have supported this project (now passion of mine).
As I've mentioned several times, this series has been about growth and development -- especially my own. The series began with one vision in mind but has evolved into something much greater. It began with a hope to learn from my network and put my face out there but has shifted in focus to the deep and rich storytelling shared by my guests.
In learning about them I've learned about myself. And I hope the same is happening for anyone who takes a listen to the series.
In addition to the deep reflection the series has inspired in me, every time I stand up from recording these conversations I do so energized and hopeful, knowing these colleagues of mine are out there, doing their great work and sending their amazing ripple effect of intentional impact throughout the world.
They've shared their up's and down's, successes and failures, and triumphs and traumas. In turn, their openness with me has lead me to become more open. It's through that honesty that I've grown through this series, becoming a different person from when I launched it. I've learned so much about myself while also realizing...I still don't know enough.
This series has become my Masterclass in Humanity, and I'm forever grateful to my guests for sharing stories of great work in, and deep hope for, their own communities and all of humanity.
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.
Biological Benefits of Laughter
Happiness and laughter -- we take them for granted. We may sometimes feel guilty in experiencing them when there are other things to tend to and get done. But there are deeper benefits to laughter than we see and feel in the moment. Our minds are more complex than our simple minds can understand. The mind unconsciously and subconsciously goes deeper than we could ever consciously make sense of. How do you incorporate laughter, or appreciate it, in your professional, personal, work, and leadership roles? What does it do for you? What does it do for those around you? That levity in life and appreciation for the smaller things were parts of my conversations with both Darrin Tulley and Greg Kettner in their respective episodes of The Book Leads. Check them out below!
Check Out The Article HERE!
Related Book:
Related The Book Leads Podcast Episodes:
Last 10 LWLL Posts...
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
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
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.
New Year, New Who?
It's that time of year again! We've crossed that threshold from one year into the next. With so many ideas out there about how to proceed to be a new (or better) you in the new year, how do you go about your personal development planning into 2024? With so many options out there, what do you focus on? (I'm not condoning or suggesting any of these. The list is merely a demonstrative sample of what's out there.)
Micro-Adventures
I've talked previously about Micro-Moments and Micro-Interactions (The Book Leads – Episode 45: Jim Frawley). Not everything has to be a seismic shift or massive event to make a major difference -- not even adventures. Do you have a need for micro-adventures, maybe one you aren't aware of?
Check Out The Article HERE!
A Graphic Find
Here's a graphic I came across this week that painted a great picture, breaking down information, and bringing to life a great idea clearly for our understanding. 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 about the topic.
Leadership Resolutions
I found this graphic on the Association for Talent Development (ATD) LinkedIn feed, posted by Andrew Gibbons FCIPD. As mentioned above, going into the new year we tend to consider how we can improve. And that's not just limited to the personal life. What are you doing with your leadership in 2024?
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.
Latest Episodes of The Book Leads - Don Schmincke
Episode 80: Don Schmincke & His Book, Winners and Losers: Entrepreneurial Lessons from 30,000 CEOs on How to Come Out on Top
For everything he's done in his career -- from dropping out of high school to getting his BS in Planetary Physics at MIT, a Master's Degree in Human Behavior (and teaching at) Johns Hopkins University, and traversing the world, travelling 200,000 miles a year to work with countless companies and explore to understand ancient civilizations -- Don, an explorer, scientist, and author, still considers himself, first and foremost, a teacher.
No one I've interviewed or spoken to before Don can claim to do, collaborate and write on as much research as he can where he seeks understand the biological make-up of who we are as a species. Where the curiosity most of us have is limited to what's within our reach, Don has gone off to explore different corners of the world to see it first-hand.
And his expeditions and research turn most of the ideas we have of leadership on their head. His discoveries stem from that insatiable curiosity to learn about the world and history of its civilizations, and can help us be more honest with ourselves -- to understand ourselves.
He takes those lessons learned and applies them to corporate and entrepreneurial strategy, leadership, culture, structure, and sales.
Conversation Highlights
The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Don is, How do you continue exploring (and busting myths) to ensure you're not becoming too complacent or blinded?
Also included in the podcast article: Mentioned Or Applicable Books
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].
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10 个月Great collection of articles! Can't wait to dive in and learn from them. ????
Life & Business Strategist. MBA, MA Psychology, ICF. CEO, Kaspari Life Academy. Host of the Unshakeable People Podcast. Habits & Behaviour Design, Neuroscience. I shape MINDS and build LEADERS.
10 个月An inspiring collection of articles, thank you for sharing! ????
Leadership Performance Coach & Consultant | Leadership Design & Branding | Podcast Host??| Executive Advisor | Freelance Writer ?? | Speaker
11 个月Directory of Past Editions: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/last-weeks-leadership-lessons-directory-articles-john-m-/?published=t ? #leadership?#leadershipcoaching?#news?#coaching?#life?#work?#communication?#goals #writing #goals #emotions #emotionalintelligence #EI #meltdowns #change #storytelling #vision #antigoals #no #michaeljordan #larrybird #nba #laughter #happynewyear #adventures #resolutions