Here’s a test, how much time do you spend thinking about yourself? Most of us would say a lot. We’re human…right? Now’s the time to be super human. Move your thoughts to leadership…specifically servant leadership. I’ve found that the more you think about others, the better life gets. Leaders that serve themselves are not living. The people you lead are the ones that will define the success.
I’ve met too many leaders that find the mirror to be their best friend. A close associate once told me that most corporate leaders are narcissists. I agree with him on that. There’s an epidemic of self-absorbed leaders. They use their career (and other people) to further their agenda. Have you ever noticed that you can’t have a real conversation with these folks? Yes, a REAL conversation where we might talk about things we would rather forget. You can’t communicate when everything is about “positioning.” When will they realize that careers are to be led, and not managed?
Look at the following tips:
1. Start taking more risk (thought-through), and yes you might get in trouble. Ask an elderly person if they wish they had taken more risk, I bet they’ll say yes. Don’t wait until you’re in the ninth inning.
2. Discover your passions…you’ll find it liberating.
3. Get a mentor.
4. Serve people.
5. Make sure you have a growth plan, and make sure it’s a plan for growth.