Lessons from My Coaching Journey - by Kim Shiel
The past couple of months have prompted me to have a few conversations around these three very important aspects of leadership for both leaders and team members. So often I say to my delegates “Where goes your focus, there goes your energy!” and to be perfectly honest with you I've had to tell myself that quite a lot in the past couple of weeks We all go through tough journeys at times, be it weekly, monthly, or a couple times a year, where one needs to start having a tough conversation with oneself. And voila! therein lies the #emotionalintelligence required to “Keep on Keeping On!”
Three of these aspects that we're going to chat about in future blog, are definite areas of emotional intelligence that need to be addressed as well as developed.
In this fast-paced world of leadership, where every decision carries weight, and every action can influence an organization's success, it's essential to nurture and grow three fundamental pillars of Leading: Focus, Resilience, and Self-Care. These qualities not only enhance your leadership abilities but also contribute to your overall well-being.
1. Focus: The North Star of #Leadership
Focus is the cornerstone of effective leadership. It's the ability to tune into your goals and priorities while navigating the noise and distractions that often surround us, and believe me there is a lot of noise out there. To harness the power of focus:
Set Clear Smart #Goals: Define your objectives and communicate them clearly to your team. When everyone knows what they're working toward, it's easier to maintain focus collectively. In fact, everything that’s done collectively within a team accelerates success. It's called power of synergy. Creating goal alignment within an organization and within individual teams is something I will discuss later, but keep in mind it is the be all and end all of departmental or organizational success. I will talk to goals both dedicated just to that, and I'm not joking but in most of my workshops you have my delegates understand what a goal is much less having one!
Prioritize #Tasks: Identify the most critical tasks and tackle them first. Avoid the time trap of busyness for the sake of it; instead, focus on what truly moves the needle. I.e. Does the action you do, result in achieving your goals. If not, then bin it! A simple To Do List every morning keeps you focused on what needs to be achieved during the day.
Embrace Mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing. These can sharpen your ability to concentrate and make better decisions. Get off your chair, walk, move, breathe and stop being sedentary.
2. Resilience: Weathering the Storms
Leadership is not for sissies. It can be a lonely place, frustrating as heck, and you'll encounter challenges, setbacks, and even failures along the way. Resilience is that thing that gives you capacity to bounce back from adversity, challenges, all of the above, but allows you to grow stronger Here's how to develop it:
Adaptability: accept change and be willing to adapt your strategies when circumstances require that you do. Rigidity can lead to stagnation, while flexibility breeds resilience.
Learn from Failure: The F word is probably one of the most dangerous words in leadership YES!! FEAR OF FAILURE causes your worst nightmares to come true. Instead of dwelling on failures, EMBRACE them valuable learning experiences. Grab the opportunities and lessons from setbacks and use them to improve. Dig deep enough and you will find a special little gift beginning with an O (opportunity).
Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of peers, mentors, or coaches who can provide guidance and encouragement during tough times. The tough ask for help, this is not a ego trip you are on, it’s a LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
3. Self-Care: The Fuel for Leadership
Leaders often neglect self-care, believing they must put the organization first. However, neglecting your well-being can lead to burnout and hinder your ability to lead effectively. One of “the seven habits of highly effective people” is “Sharpening the Saw”. Work on self-care by:
Setting Boundaries: Define clear boundaries between work and personal life. Overworking yourself is counterproductive and detrimental to long-term success.
Physical Health: Exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and ensure you get enough sleep. Physical health is the foundation of mental and emotional well-being.
Mental Wellness: Practice mindfulness, engage in hobbies, and take time for self-reflection. These activities recharge your mind and promote creativity.
In conclusion, leadership at any level, requires a robust foundation of focus, resilience, and self-care. By nurturing these qualities, you not only become a more effective leader but also set an example for your team. Remember, leadership is not a sprint but a marathon, and by investing in yourself, you ensure the endurance needed to lead with excellence and inspire those around you. “Happy Days!”