As leaders, it’s crucial that we truly understand ourselves, our team, stakeholders, customers, and the business. This is not only important, but essential if we want to keep up with the fast-paced changes happening in the world today.
Video Transcription:
As a leader, do you think you can ever know enough to keep up with the pace of change
I was having this conversation last week with a leader and I thought, “Maybe other leaders are asking themselves that question.” I know I certainly do.
So when you think about your own knowledge, skills, and abilities, do you think, “Am I ever gonna be able to keep up with this pace of change in the world of work?”
Today, I want to share the “K” in my wake up framework that stands for “knowing” your knowledge, your skills, and ability.
An effective leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. That’s a John Maxwell quote.
As leaders, we do know that having an intimate understanding of ourselves, of other people, like our team, our stakeholders, our customers, and of the business is not only critical, it’s foundational, if we want to adapt to the ever increasing pace of change in the world right now.
When I coach leaders, I break down the “knowing” into 3 pillars. Because 1 is knowing yourself. So it’s all about you, knowing yourself. Pillar 2 is knowing others. So that’s your team, your customers, your stakeholders. And, pillar 3 is knowing the business. Most leaders have a very in-depth knowledge of their business, unless they’re new. And they spend a lot of time knowing the business versus knowing themselves and their teams as much.
So for knowing yourself, number 1. In a previous video, I talked to you about the willingness to really take that on and know yourself by exploring your strengths, where you need to grow, what you stand for, what you stand against, whether or not you’re really leveraging your strength in your role. Do you know how to get yourself unstuck when you’re really stuck, when to ask and seek help? When was the last time you actually changed your mind or were you willing to say, “Hey, I don’t know.” In an ever evolving business landscape where our knowledge is not able to keep up with the pace of change, leaders who can actually stay open, change their mind when they’re faced with new information or insights, is really a sign of wisdom in my opinion, not weakness.
The second pillar, knowing others, knowing your team, your colleagues, and your key stakeholders is key, but really knowing, like, “What makes these people actually want to follow you? Are you a leader they want to follow?” And, “Why?” “Do you know what they want and need most from you as the leader?” And, “What do they wanna learn and grow so that they can contribute at their highest and best performance?” “Do you know what they like most and least about working there? Do you know what they care most about outside of work? Do you know their family names?”
Really, when you care, connect, and co-create their career plan with them, they will stay with you for a long time.
And obviously, the third pillar is the business. And like I said, most leaders know their business very well, unless they’re new. And spend most of their time there instead of in the other 2 areas.
So depending on where you are in your stage of leadership in your career path, remember that this is a continuous journey of “knowing.” And by being willing to have a good understanding of ourselves, of our team, and others, and our business, and keeping our insatiable appetite up for learning to stay on this path of conscious and impactful leadership. The world needs your leadership now more than ever, and I can’t thank you enough for being with me and trusting me as your leadership guide.
I will see you next time.