selfevaluation

What Practice Successful Leaders Have in Common

If I've learned anything during the years of my life, I've learned that one of the most important attributes of successful leaders is the prioritization of the regular practice of self-reflection that leads to a rigorous self-evaluation. I've worked with 100s of leaders through the years and the ones who are most effective are those who choose to carve out strategic stops to learn more about themselves and how to live a more maximized and transformational life at home and at work.

Self reflection leads to increased self awareness that leads to self regulation and self responsibility which facilitates an honest and comprehensive self evaluation which produces better personal and professional growth. All of that doesn't just happen spontaneously. It happens by strategic intention and attention.

That's probably why so few people actually engage in self reflection. We're just too busy. We're a bit afraid of what we might see. We're not exactly sure how to go about it. It seems like a lot of work and energy. ...

Only those who engage in this vital practice are the ones who live life with greatest depth, breadth, and expanse of their true potential.

What's your intention for yourself and your teams this year?

For more details about this practice and how to go about it, you can read my book "The Strategic Stop: Taking Back Your Life in a World Obsessed with Busyness." At the end of every chapter are two sections with directed questions for Personal Reflection and Team Reflection.

NAVIGATING TRAUMA & CRISIS SO YOU END UP THRIVING

Navigating Trauma & Crisis So You End Up Thriving

It seems that often our human tendency when going through crisis or trauma is to fixate on the "Why"--why is this happening? Why me? Why do I have to go through this?" I have a propensity for that question.

Then I remember Rabbi Harold Kushner's response. In his book "When Bad Things Happy to Good People" he tells the story of losing his young son to a degenerative disease. In the midst of his painful loss, he too asked "Why?" And then at some point in his grieving, he realized that ultimately the more important question was, "Now that this has happened, what am I going to do about it?" That question, focusing away from the past into the future's possibilities changed his life. 

Those who become stronger through crisis and trauma are those who find meaning from it, a sense of renewed purpose--it's the "what now" mentality.

Notice the benefits listed by Lisa Zigarmi & Davia Larson in their article in the link below:

  • An increased sense of your own strength and capacities to prevail.

  • Improved relationships with others, including a greater sense of belonging.

  • A greater sense of compassion.

  • And an increased sense of purpose and appreciation for life.


An Harvard Business Review article provides a profound framework (the Post-Traumatic Growth process) for making meaning out of difficult times. It describes a helpful tool to use with yourself, with your teams, with other groups you belong to, even with your family. I'm using this process in my own life as I chart my path forward during these times. https://lnkd.in/ga5f-Vk.