Grand Slam Leadership
By Craig Ross and Steven W. Vannoy
Based on concepts in the upcoming book, "Leadership Gold" by Steven Vannoy and Craig Ross.
Some days we just don't feel on-a-roll. Perhaps last night you didn't get enough sleep or there are stressful thoughts weighing heavily on your mind. Whatever the reason, you may wake up one morning feeling tired, stressed out or just plain irritable. Work may be the last place you want to go. It happens to everyone at one time or another. While we like to think that our moods affect only us, is it possible that our state-of-mind can also affect those around us?
A hardworking executive from International Truck & Engine Corporation, knows that it can. "During an extremely busy time at work, I was thinking about the two things determine which way people go: Their personal mastery of being on-a-roll, and the attitude/actions of the people around them.
We recently hired many new Sales Analysts into the company and they are still forming their opinions about me and International. Even though I was very tired last week and we all had much more to do than usual, I thought about and tried to model the kind of leader I would expect if I were a new analyst. The success story is that I was able to operate at a higher level than I thought was possible and the analysts got a better model of a leader than they would have had without my using some of the Pathways to Leadership tools. Not a homerun, but definitely a base hit!"
While this leader doesn't claim the above story to be an example of a "homerun," the insight she had to step out of her shoes and focus on how her actions and behaviors look in the eyes of the new employees is actually a "grand slam!"
Even though she wasn't feeling 100% on a roll that day, she wanted to show her new colleagues that the organization has terrific leaders and supports a productive work environment. As a result, the analysts are feeling good about their new company and, as a pleasant side effect, this leader surprised herself with how efficient she herself became despite being very busy and tired.
We all lead by example, whether we realize it or not. Even if we are not lead on a specific project or manage others on a daily basis, our energy creates persona of its own and has the power to motivate those around us or drain them, making for a bland, or unhealthy, Wellness Culture.
It's easy to operate on a roll when things are going well and we're feeling at our best. The challenge is to do it when you wake up wanting to just crawl right back under those soft sheets. The next time you're faced with this challenge, try utilizing the "Work Bound Framework" and ask yourself the following questions to get yourself excited and ready to face the day:
What has gone really well with this team lately?
What have I done recently that has contributed to the success of this team?
How can I apply my skills to be the best team member I've ever been?
How will you be the best leader you can be today?
(c) 2005 Pathways to Leadership, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
