Personal Effectiveness

Let me introduce you to your best leadership self…

In your current organization, right now, you already have a brand.

Do you know what it is? Really??

I vividly remember the day I was shocked to learn that I had a brand. And one that I didn’t even choose!

When my nephew was a little guy (maybe 4 or 5 years old) we got into an interesting conversation about what he could learn from people in his life.

According to Gabe, he could learn sports from Uncle Ron, computer skills from his dad, and “learning strategies” from his mom (his mom is a teacher).

When I asked him what he might learn from me, he did not miss a beat…

I hate bugs. I mean I really, really hate bugs.

Did I mention that I hate bugs?

Truth be told, I have an almost irrational fear of insects. I don’t know why…maybe because I grew up in a house that had regular forays of wasps in our attic (aka my bedroom).

You’ve seen it…maybe you’ve even experienced it.

You’re granted time on the agenda to give a very important presentation. You and your team have worked for weeks gathering data, making charts, and preparing slides.

The big day comes and you feel SO ready. You make it through the entire presentation without any major mishaps or challenges. And later, with a sigh of relief and a smile, you tell your colleagues that it “went very well.”

And then…

Nothing.

Crickets.

Ah, geez. There it is. Right there on his presentation slide. And right up there in front of the CEO. I start silently counting in my head to see how many seconds it will take before the CEO blows his top.

…5…6…7…

Leaders are action-oriented. We decide fast. We move fast. Sometimes too fast.

Have you ever plowed through an activity just to discover the unintended consequences later? Or have you found yourself apologizing, “So sorry, that was not my intention”?

Yep, like everyone, it has happened to me. One of those times still haunts me to this day…