“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727
It's certainly not too late in the year to discuss New Year's resolutions, I hope! In a recent conversation with a young executive, she shared an interesting perspective: instead of traditional New Year's resolutions, she selects a "Word of the Year." This word becomes a focal point in both her professional and personal life, serving as a measure of her progress. What a fascinating concept!
I'm not referring to those desk calendars with a "thought of the day" or flip calendars that offer a "word of the day," which I used to receive every Christmas and absolutely adored. However, by the end of January, my daily engagement with them dwindled, and by the end of February, I'd put them aside to clear some space. Those calendars, while charming, provide only momentary inspiration. The idea of choosing a single word to carry with you throughout the year, to see every day, and to integrate into your daily thoughts, is something entirely different. This word becomes a constant, unshelvable presence in your life. Although I've never tried this myself, the idea is intriguing, and I thought it might resonate with you as well.
Many successful individuals grapple with a certain level of anxiety. As I've grown older—or, as I prefer to say, "more mature"—I've noticed that my Type-A personality is often accompanied by significant anxiety. Years ago, I mentioned my concerns about this to a physician, who humorously admitted he had no solutions but was "enjoying the ride." That conversation, shared with a laugh, led me to understand that anxiety often accompanies leadership. It's crucial to ensure that our anxiety doesn't negatively affect our teams. Clearly defining success and leading our teams toward it is vital, as we don't want our anxieties to impact their performance and, by extension, the success of the organization. Perhaps by managing our personal anxieties more effectively, we could create a more positive environment for everyone. Relying on the old excuse, as Popeye the Sailor Man famously said, "I am what I am and that's all that I am," is simply not sufficient. Recognizing our anxiety and understanding its impact on our team is the first step toward improvement.
Over the years, I've frequently spoken about leadership skills and even compiled my personal "Top Ten" list of essential leadership qualities. John Maxwell often discusses leadership and team-building skills, and an old acquaintance, Dr. William P. Fisher, highlights crucial skills in his book "Fisher's Laws: A Thinker's Guide to Management Action." Among all the leadership skills, I've always believed that communication is the most critical. Ensuring our teams have the necessary tools and information is just the beginning. Listening to their feedback and encouraging open dialogue is equally important. Owning our messages and being accountable for them are key to earning our team's trust and support
."Having a role model in life is a great thing to have; one who provides us with direction and inspiration. However, we will forever be restricted by that person's limitations if we live within their boundaries. Be influenced but set your own standards and develop your own principles, if you are ever to live beyond someone else's dreams."
Jason Shahan
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