You’ve taken the leadership training and read the books. So why haven’t you implemented those things you were so jazzed about? If it was easy, you’d have a perfect leadership score already. FACT: Being really busy means you have less time/energy to implement new approaches.
Good news: you don’t have to keep trying to do it on your own. Pick a quality you want to express more of and join a peer mentor group with others who are also getting the K.N.A.C.K. of Resilient Leadership.
The K.N.A.C.K. of Resilient Leadership
K- Knowledge of Human Nature
Resilient leaders must understand why smart people do irrational things, personality type differences and how to inspire, resolve conflict with and motivate them each differently. Leaders today are simply expected to have solid knowledge of strategy and their industry, and gone are the days of ignoring the emotional side of team leadership. Do you understand people well enough to give what your team needs from you to perform at their best? Knowledge of Human Nature is quite learnable.
N- Non-Reactive
Impulse control and self-management require self-awareness and stable confidence. Resilient leaders act powerfully when needed and can be spontaneous, but responses are not driven by their reptilian brain. Reflexes are often grounded in past experiences and normal fear which may not serve well in an organisational context. Becoming Non-Reactive is quite learnable.
A- Action-Oriented
Resilient leaders know when to move fast to take action versus when the ideal action is to stop and reflect. In either case, the action is chosen and purposeful. Planning properly and attending to details are essential; worrying about perfection is not. Does what you do with your time align with your true priorities? Becoming Action-Oriented doing the right things is quite learnable.
C- Courageous
Resilient Leaders have the guts to speak the truth and to face reality, be it about their own strengths or shortcomings, a past error, or a situation that is out of control. Leading sometimes means re-kindling optimism or doing the unpopular thing, and having Intention Deficit Disorder does not serve leaders well. When faced with a most difficult task, are you clear about the right thing to do so you can manifest your conviction? Becoming courageous in a new way is quite learnable.
K- Kindness
Being kind doesn’t mean being a doormat. Sometimes the kindest thing one can do is to fire somebody. Keeping a long-term perspective and transparently balancing the needs of all parties is key for Resilient Leaders to nurture trust and loyalty among team members and others. We can’t give what we don’t have and Resilient Leaders understand that self-empathy is where it all begins. Can you think of a person who deserves and may blossom with more empathy than you are presently providing? Becoming more kind is quite learnable.
Know a leader who thinks they don’t have time to become more effective? Offer them these questions which might help them see if it is worth their time to do something about it yet.
Resilient Leaders are more effective at motivating others when they have a sound grasp of human nature, self-management, take the right kinds of actions and show courage and kindness. Are you presently giving those you work with the right balance of each? Whether you are an effective leader (or not) is decided by those you lead, not by you! So, ask them!
What is one small thing you can do differently starting today, which will make you a more resilient leader?
In your opinion, what else do resilient leaders need?