Shift from Ladder Climbing to Ladder Building - Part 7

In August 2021, I received the Change Your World Champion Award and it was one of the most defining moments in my journey as an Entrepreneur. It was not the recognition that I received but it was the realization that I had shifted from being a Ladder Climber to a Ladder Builder.

When I joined The John Maxwell Team (rebranded recently as The Maxwell Leadership Team) in Sep 2018, my desire was to develop my leadership skills further and be a better communicator so I could rise up the corporate ladder and be one of the most influential women.

As a ladder climber, I was constantly asking the question "How high can I go?"

I got certified as a DISC Trainer and took my own Personality Assessment to identify what were my strengths. I focused on building upon my strengths and making the most of them. One of the reasons I started picking the WORD OF THE YEAR was to remain focused on where was I headed and to ensure that I had the right mentors to help me on this leadership journey of mine as I chased Success in my life.

Watch this video to hear about the approach I take while picking the Word for the Year and Opportunities that I seized to start climbing the ladder. I worked on myself and started evaluating the steps that I was taking every day.

John Maxwell says in the book "Leadershift" that as you climb the ladder of success, here's some advice for making sure you are holding the ladder for others:

• Make sure your ladder is on a firm foundation of integrity and strong character
• Make sure your ladder is leaning against the right "building" for your purpose
• Never step on other people while climbing up
• Don't skip any rungs of the ladder

Step back down occasionally to rest, reflect, and gain perspective

• Don't step on anyone while descending either
• Each time you start to climb back up, make sure you improve
• Always value people who are holding the ladder for you.

These words of wisdom has given me a roadmap to shifting from a ladder climber to a ladder builder.

I decided to adopt a serving attitude so that those I work alongside with as a Coach see that I am willing and able to serve, this has allowed them to be willing and to be able to serve others even further.

Together we are able to impact more lives and leave a legacy behind.

My word for 2022 is Equip - I have been equipped by my mentors (you can read more about the power of mentoring in https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/shift-from-soloist-conductor-part-2-anupama-kinatukara-pgmp-pmp-/) and it is now my turn to Equip others to build their own ladders.

"The best thing is that ladder building has no limitations imposed. People can climb as high as their talent and work ethic will take them." says John Maxwell

I would like to invite you to one of my upcoming MasterClass so I can help you understand how you could start Developing Leaders Around You and I can show you how to take the rights steps towards Developing The Leader Within You!

Let me leave you with a few questions that I am asking myself as I have started helping others and mentoring them. If you are ready to mentor someone, ask the following questions about anyone you are considering helping:

1. Is this person hungry to learn?
2. What is this person's capacity?
3. Are this person's values compatible with mine?
4. Is this individual a leader? ***

The last question*** perplexed me when I read it, I wanted to help everyone around me... be it a leader or a follower, what struck me was the reasoning given by my mentor in the book.

Andy Stanley says "Do for one what you wish you could do for many." With a leader, we can truly do for one what we wish we could do for many, because the leader will influence many.

Next time we will look into The Communication Shift - Directing to Connecting.

Meanwhile I hope you have already purchased this book "Leadershift" by John C. Maxwell which is where I have been studying these leadership principles and sharing with you a few "golden nuggets" based on how I have applied it in my leadership journey so you can learn it live it and lead it.