What values define your Leadership?
Leadership , to me, starts with leading your own self. All actions emanate from thoughts. Thoughts come and go and you choose which ones to act upon and which to discard. This choice is rooted in self awareness and core values and leadership stems from there. The extent to which you are self aware, you are able to align your values to your vision and only then can you give shape to curate your reality. That is #leadership . That is impact. Only when you can lead your own self, can you lead others.
To me there are two steps to get there. The first - is knowing your core values. Do you know what values you stand for? Why are you creating the life you are creating for your self and others? What does it all lead to? What would you trade everything else in life for? Mere awareness of this is just the first step, the second would be to align all actions and decisions to be congruent to this. I once created a value leadership chart for myself as a part of a leadership training at #columbiabusinessschool (see cover image) which represents my leadership values. I will let you decipher its meaning in your own way, but it was an exercise that showed me a lot about what drives me. Each one of us can have something similar in us that represents your leadership values.
And finally what is the path to a deep level of understanding of your own self? What does #selfawareness truly mean? To me, it starts with the ability to step out of your own mind and observe. Ability to see patterns in your thinking, how each one of us act and respond to different situations, awareness of our own unconscious biases, our strengths and weaknesses etc. Awareness is the first step to be in control of our minds and thus our lives. Without awareness any control is an illusion and short-lived. This awareness then extends to your team, peers and we gain the ability to bring out and stick together the best skills in everyone else. Our potential is much bigger than what our minds can conceive and true leadership can unleash that. All leaders in history have been living examples of that. This journey within complements the impact we can drive in the world outside. Find your own way within - it starts with spending time with yourself, pause and reflect, for a few minutes at least giving yourself a break from the world out there.