New Year's leadership reflection

Leadership is a journey where we can learn something and improve every day.?These weekly messages have been designed to provide some food for thought and a regular reminder about our role as leaders.? The beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on our leadership journey.? Take this time to consider what has improved and what has regressed in the past year.? When others look at us as leaders, do they see us in a manner consistent with our leadership philosophy or are they seeing us differently than how we want to show up?? Former football Coach Lou Holtz says that people will ask these three questions of their leader:

• Can I trust you?
• Are you committed to excellence?
• Do you care about me?

If asked these questions, how would the people on our teams respond?

I challenge all of us to do two things at the start of this year.? First, document your leadership philosophy.? If you already have one, take the time to review it.? A leadership philosophy is personal and identifies the things you believe are important for effective leadership.? It could be as short as a few words or it may be far more descriptive, but the key is that it documents what you believe in, is meaningful to you and is congruent with the unique person you are.? The other challenge is to make a New Year’s leadership resolution to improve a specific leadership characteristic.? It is difficult to focus on all the desired leadership attributes at one time, which is why it is important to narrow the list down to one or two critical items that you want to give particular attention to in 2025.

As we apply our leadership beliefs throughout the year, there are three primary obstacles that typically trip us up.? The first is good intentions without follow-through.? We may intend on responding to feedback or decide something we want to change.? We have all the best intentions on making those changes, but the enthusiasm wanes over time and we go back to our old ways.? The second is our “blind spots.”? Blind spots are the things we do not know about ourselves, but which others recognize.? In leading, this typically includes things we believe we are doing the right way - but in reality, we are not.? Third, we fail to realize how all our words and actions may impact the people on our team and those around us.? Even if unintended or inaccurate, people will interpret what they believe leaders are thinking.? A condescending tone or lack of acknowledgement can have a significant and lasting impact on others.

The holiday season reminds me of a flight to Orlando several years back.? A family was sitting across the aisle from me and the daughter, who was about 7 years old, asked her parents what would happen if the plane crashed.? Her younger brother looking at his sister with total disgust said, “we would have to walk the rest of the way.”? I love that story, although unrealistic, it is a reminder that determination, confidence, and attitude (and having a back-up plan) make a difference.? The standards we hold ourselves to, how we relate to our people and our expectations of them all play a major role in our leadership.

Continue to think about your role as a leader.? A personal leadership philosophy and 2025 leadership resolution should help hold us accountable on how we show up as a leader.? They should stretch us beyond what is comfortable.? To help ensure we are living up to our own standards, we also need to seek out and truly hear the feedback.? Remember, how we lead not only makes a big difference in work performance but it also impacts the lives of others.

?“You cannot change your journey if you are unwilling to move at all”?– Ally Condie

?Leadership matters!

Ken