Ever struggle to shift gears between roles, say when coming home? In my case I often heard “You’re not the dean at home!” So, we must be aware of our audience.
This blog post contains my personal, weekday LinkedIn entries for November 29 through December 3, 2021. Enjoy!
Build on strengths or fix weaknesses?
Do I focus on strengths, making those areas stronger?
Or, should I address my weaknesses, thereby making them less a hinderance?
I suggest you invest where you see the greatest return.
So, I would build on existing strengths where possible.
Today’s Question: As a leader, where are you focusing your personal and professional development?
It’s most beneficial when I’m insightful enough know my audience then respond appropriately. proverbsforprofessionals.net
You’re not the dean at home!
Ever struggle to shift gears between roles, say when coming home?
We may get a not-so-gentle reminder! For example, when I came home after being a business school dean all day.
The problem? I used the same demeanor and voice tone I had been using all day!
The outcome? Don’t use your dean voice with me!!
For leaders, it’s critical to be aware of audience. Of the externals. And of the past history that’s part of every conversation.
That doesn’t mean changing who you are. It does mean that one approach will not fit every situation.
How does this work in practice? For starters, force time into your schedule to think through objectives for the next conversation. Ask yourself what’s likely to be most effective with this next person.
Today’s Question: What practices help you build one-on-one influence as a leader?
Leadership is truly influence. In turn, influence demands that leaders be discerning and sensitive. proverbsforprofessionals.net
In Proverbs 28.16 we learn that effective leaders apply experiential insight, thus avoid all sorts of problems. Those leaders remember that “it’s not about me.” Conversely, a lack of insight fuels self-consumption and over-bearing behavior in a leader.
Content is like currency!
Beside your time, what do you have of value to give to others?
I suggest it’s your life content – the insights gained from a life well lived.
I give from my well of experiences as a gift to others. As such, content is like currency. Spendable.
Life insights are of value to those who grow from that shared content.
However, that content is of limited value without a community with which to share it.
Today’s Insight: Deep content that’s freely shared within a community produces social impact.
Receiving wise counsel assumes a willingness to listen, coupled with a desire to grow. Similarly, my experiential insight is of limited value to others unless it’s freely shared. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Proverbs 18.4 compares a person’s wisdom to deep water and to a spring that flows constantly. How do you access that wisdom? In Proverbs 20.5 we learn that an insightful person draws out counsel from others.
I don’t see what you see!
How well do you deal with those who have a world view different from yours?
I believe an important component of emotional maturity is to accept that not everyone is going to see the world the way you do!
So, how about disagreement? Do you agree to disagree? Do you break off the relationship?
I’m not talking here about extreme situations where an obvious truth is being challenged by someone (e.g., they make a claim but present zero supporting evidence).
It’s important, I think, to be able to accommodate in your head conflicting views. Else, we become fairly rigid and intolerant. We find no common ground.
Being decisive means taking a position, but it doesn’t mean you arrogantly discard the views of everyone who has differing opinion.
Today’s Question: What practices help you maintain productive relationships in the face of disagreement?
It should be possible to disagree with someone without attacking their character or suggesting their motives are impure! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Proverbs 18.17 makes it clear there are at least two sides to every story. Thus, don’t be swayed by the first thing you hear! Instead, think critically as you listen carefully.
Always right?
It’s a great weight in life having to always be right.
What if I look for a different way forward? For example, by seeking some common ground with others. Or, being willing to hear the position of someone else?
Proverbs 15.28 notes that one aspect of integrity is the ability to answer others thoughtfully, rather than say to very first thing that comes to mind. “First to mind” is often engrained habit rather than deep thoughtfulness.
