I’ve learned the hard way that when what I do doesn’t fit who I am the outcomes are not good! Read this post to learn more.
This blog post captures my LinkedIn posts between July 26 and July 30, 2021.
Right word, right time, receptive listener, desired impact!
Who doesn’t want their words to have impact? As such, I must recognize some fundamentals:
1). Sound content – Is what I’m saying accurate? Adds value? Moves toward a desired outcome?
2). Appropriate timing – Am I sensitive to “when”? That is, I know the right time to bring up the topic.
3). Receptive audience – Am I accurately reading the room? Sensitive to their openness? Recognize their level of agreement?
Impactful leaders are discerning enough, and skilled enough, to combine these fundamental elements.
In your experience, what are other elements of being impactful when communicating?
Proverbs 25.11-12 notes the extreme value of carefully chosen words from a wise person to an obedient listener.
When does self-confidence become foolish overconfidence?
Can I push too hard? Extend myself beyond reasonable bounds? And, in so doing take foolish chances that are excessively risky?
No, not just when I’m 18!!
I don’t think there’s a nice, clean line between self-confidence and being foolishly overconfident.
So, how do I avoid pushing too hard? I think personal growth contributes to needed capacity building so I stay within reasonable bounds.
What’s worked for you to stay within reasonable bounds regarding goal accomplishment?
Excessive self-trust is destructive. So, get a grip by living in balance. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Proverbs 28.26 warns that excessive self-trust is foolish. I address the problem by living a balanced life.
I’m convinced I’m right!
Ever been absolutely convinced you are right? But, then find out you were wrong! I have!
Why? Well, maybe I ignored the obvious. Or, I lacked access to some key data. Or, conditions changed.
So, what are some marks of being blindly self-consumed?
1). I cannot be reasoned with.
2). I ignore wise counsel.
3). I convince myself my motives are pure.
The way out? Accept the possibility that there is universal truth that conflicts with my narrow worldview.
What reasoning practices enable you to consider views different from your own?
Refusing to be reasoned with is destructive. So, get a grip by accepting wise counsel. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Both Proverbs 16.2 and Proverbs 21.2 warn that self-consumption works against my accountability to God.
What I do doesn’t fit who I am!
For the first years of my career what I was doing didn’t fit well with who I am.
I worked very hard, was energetic, and deeply desired to succeed.
Unfortunately, what I was doing was misaligned because I lacked self-awareness.
In short, I learned that when what I do doesn’t fit who I am the outcomes are not good!
After a layoff, I took time for introspection. I made a career shift. As a result, career and life outcomes improved significantly.
Have you had a similar experience? What did you do?
Remember, where I am is a problem when I’m unaware of who I am! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Proverbs 14.8 teaches that critical thinking contributes to self-awareness. In turn, that self-awareness is a vital aspect of a balanced life.
Knowledge isn’t power!
Who hasn’t heard “knowledge is power“?
The problem? Accumulating facts is of limited value.
What else is needed? I believe factual knowledge becomes power when I:
1). Connect disjointed facts into patterns.
2). Discern what’s below the surface.
3). Exercise foresight to anticipate likely outcomes.
Thus, for a leader, it’s inadequate to be data driven alone. Why? Because factual knowledge must be paired with insight if it is to be of value.
Proverbs 15.14 explains that a discerning character is a learning character.
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