What does “Choose How You Show Up” Really Mean and Who Cares
The average leader begins the day stressed. Heart attacks are more likely in the morning and may be connected to adrenaline.
Thinking about the next thing while you do this thing means you’ve lost yourself. You aren’t mindful. You can’t connect. Current action isn’t fulfilling.
The hardest part of getting things done is doing one thing at a time.
Choose how you show up – before you show up.
Choosing how you show up is:
- Influencing environments.
- Active authenticity.
- Living with intention and direction.
- Controlling things within your control.
- Moving beyond passive response to active engagement.
You might say, “I just want to be me.” But sometimes the real you isn’t pretty.
Show up as your best self.
Show up as your aspirational self.
When you don’t choose how you show up you:
- Feel like a puppet with someone’s hand rammed up your back.
- Go places you don’t want to go.
- Drift through opportunities.
- Consider circumstances and people enemies instead of opportunities.
How to choose how you show up:
#1. Choose at the beginning.
Rushing to get stuff done obliterates mindful leadership. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your day to center yourself.
#2. Reflect on values.
- What’s important to you?
- How will your values show up in behaviors?
- How will you contribute today?
You might say,”I want to show up in ways that express my passion to get stuff done.” What attitudes, emotions, and actions best serve your passion to get stuff done?
#3. Seek feedback.
You look at yourself through a distorted lens of assumptions and biases.
Feedback provides perspective.
Imagine you choose to show up to fuel energy in others. Ask two questions.
- What am I doing that gives you energy?
- How might I improve my ability to bring energy to you?
What prevents leaders from choosing how they show up?
How might you choose how you show up?
Thank you for this Dan. This was very timely for me and extremely helpful.
My favorite post from you this entire year!
Hi Brett. Thank you so much for the good word. It feels good when something is helpful. Cheers.
Great post, Dan. Beginning each day with intention. Bringing the best version of ‘you’ into every interaction. Easier said than done some days. But ‘centering yourself’, as you suggest puts one in a great position to win the day.
Thanks Tom. One of the easiest things in the world to do is get lost in busyness. At the end of the day you’re exhausted and wonder what you got done. Cheers.
I like to say ‘Leaders bring the weather’ – how you show up also sets the tone (weather) for others. Another great post!
Thanks Ken. I can’t imagine why that makes sense for a guy for NOAA … 🙂
Hi Dan, this one really resonated with me. I believe leaders have to be aware of the things that suck their time and don’t provide value first, then being intentional about focusing on what’s important and does bring value. Resist getting pulled into the traps and show up focused on what’s important to improve the organization.
This is awesome Mr. Rockwell!! Since I’ve been following your teachings “Choose how you show up” and “centering myself every morning” has been the best things I ever could have applied to my life. It’s taken me a lot of practice and discipline but are the best tools I have in my “tool box”. I now do this every morning – not just for work but in my daily life. Thank you 🙏
Thank You
Marvin Yeager
I like the point about active engagement. I also think, as most have pointed out, that the intentionality of how you start your day can make a lot of difference. You should think about what gives you a lot of energy and start your day that way. If you are an extrovert, maybe it is making sure you start your day with human interaction with employees. If you are an introvert, maybe it is getting something done and having that feeling of accomplishment. Another strategy would be to get the thing that is giving you the most anxiety out of the way first thing in the morning. This way, your day is freed up, and that anxiety doesn’t bog you down.