Three Minute Leadership – Turning the Playing Field into a Practice Field

To: the Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

At HR.com’s recent Lead2016 Conference Jim Kouzes reminded great leaders of the critical importance of their personal responsibility and commitment to self-development. In the sport world, he said, athletes all know that to maintain their basic level of performance, a certain number of hours of daily exercise is required. They also know that to achieve and sustain a superior level of performance requires a greater number of hours, a greater commitment if they are to achieve the extraordinary.

To sustain and grow their leadership skills, he said, great leaders also need to exercise their leadership muscles. Ask a busy executive, however, to spend two hours daily and the response will most likely be: “My schedule doesn’t allow it.” His suggestion to them is to find ways to turn the playing field into a practice field.  How do leaders do this? Throughout the day, they pause briefly before beginning each task or event and ask: “What leadership skills, talents or knowledge will I put to use during this time? What challenges are here that will stretch me? How will this opportunity grow me?”

Great leaders don’t settle for just maintaining their greatness. It is always about pushing their limits, stretching for the extraordinary. As the New Balance commercial tells us: “Happiness is pushing your limits and watching them back down.” On your magnificent journey remember always the words of Zig Ziglar: “When you are tough on yourself, life is going to be infinitely easier on you.” PUSH – Persist Until Something Happens! Be extraordinary. Be more than you ever dreamed you could be!

Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!

Mike

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