Latitude ... Longitude ... Attitude

I saw these three words in a magazine advertisement and it got me thinking how these three dimensions can apply to our lives as leaders. Here’s how I look at it…

• Latitude is about how broad your character is through the varied experiences that you have had in your lifetime. Seek out and embrace new experiences to both broaden your character and to help you develop as a leader.
• Longitude is about your depth of character. The challenges you have faced and conquered in your past have made you the person you are today and contributed to your depth of character. As difficult as they are at the time, challenging circumstances can help to develop your character and also help you to become a better leader if you allow yourself to learn from the experience.
• Attitude is about your strength of character. When faced with a challenge or opportunity today, it won’t be your knowledge or skill you need most, it will be your strength of character, to take the next step. Attitude is also about the choices we make each and every day. A good leader chooses their attitude each day and in each situation.

In today’s world, a leader needs to be multi-dimensional and people will naturally follow leaders who exhibit breadth, depth and strength of character. Everything that has happened to you in the past and everything going on in your life right now is adding to these three dimensions. Enjoy the journey!