5 Things Leaders Say
The first step to becoming a leader is in the heart. You learn to love people. A person who loves people turns their focus outward.
The second step to leadership is practicing things leaders say from the heart.
Words without heart are meaningless irritants. Leaders say things that reflect a heart that has turned outward.
5 things leaders say:
#1. How can we simplify?
The easiest way to do something is also the most complicated. Simplicity is harder than complexity.
One way to simplify is by stopping unnecessary things. You simplify when you put an end to drama. You shorten the path when you eliminate unnecessary steps.
A straight path is easier to walk but harder to create.
#2. How can we be better?
It’s good to talk about doing better. It’s remarkable to talk about being better. Excellent performance is important, but the way we show up for each other determines if we’re exceptional.
#3. How does it feel to work here?
‘Me’ talk makes the world small and fearful. There’s too much “I’m” stressed, I need…, I’m taking care of myself.” The purpose of self-care is reigniting your ability to care for others.
Concern for others includes caring about emotions.
#4. What are we learning?
Average leaders tell. Remarkable leaders ask.
A leader who always knows is filled with decay.
#5. What’s next?
Celebration is energy to continue, not relax. Victorious athletes say, “We’re going to enjoy this victory tonight. Tomorrow we prepare for what’s next.”
Life apart from ‘what’s next’ is over.
What are some things leaders say?
What do you want to practice saying today?
Still curious:
Why Self-Care isn’t a 4-Letter Word
28 Words Every Leader Needs to Thrive
15 Things Great Leaders Say To Create Engaged Teams
Oh man, learning to love people is hard! (I say only half kidding). People are complicated. People lie and manipulate. I constantly strive to be better about seeing the good in people. Seeing the little changes they make every day. It requires so much patience.
Thanks for reminding me that, in the end, we are all learning and developing.
Thanks SB. Yeah, people are messy. But the alternative to loving people is untenable. Having said that, learning to love people is hard. And I’m not half kidding.
I always tell my kids that they are superheroes: they don’t have an arch-nemesis who wakes up every morning plotting their destruction. So start from that: the other person didn’t wake up today planning to make your life miserable. That’s just a side effect of whatever is going on in their life and how it impacts with yours. That usually helps get in the right frame of mind to deal with that other person.
Love that, Jennifer. So helpful.
What are some things leaders say?
What can we do that’s never been done before?
So good, Paul. Great challenge. I see the power of repetition. It’s how we get better. But there comes a point of diminishing return.
This sounds vaguely familiar to me.
Thanks, John. Coming from the author of, Awesomely Simple. I’ll take that as a compliment.