New Year's Resolutions for Leaders
It is that time of year again when we become inundated with
infomercials and advertisements telling us that our new year
should include buying their products to loose weight, stop
smoking, and build wealth. New Year's resolutions provide an
opportunity to momentarily reflect upon the past and build goals
for the future.
According to the latest research based upon our understanding of
the new concept of emotional intelligence there are five factors
that predict leadership success. Any leader would do well to
incorporate them into their new year's resolutions this year. 1)
I will maintain centered and grounded in my strengths and rely
on others on the team for what I know I do not know.
No one can know everything and hardly anyone likes someone who
thinks they know everything. Leaders must know what they do not
know as much as they know what they know. Knowing your strengths
and relying on them is important. But it is just as important to
know your weaknesses. Successful leaders rely on those around
them to take the lead in areas where leadership growth is
necessary.
2) I will take decisive assertive and positive action taking
into consideration wise counsel.
It has been said that movement and action is not enough if it is
not in the right direction. Action without seeking counsel is
like playing the lottery. Leaders rarely end up where they want
to go while headed in the wrong direction. Every leader has a
counsel of friends and professionals to discuss key decisions
with.
Once a decision is made, it is essential for action to take
place. Too many leaders let decisions go unmade while waiting
for all the information to flow to them. Paralysis of analysis
is what some call this dilemma. Successful leaders will not wait
for the information to come to their desk, but will seek out the
information so that a timely decision can be made. Collect
enough information, seek counsel, make the decision and take
positive action.
3) I will use business etiquette, empathy and respect to build
alliances and empower others to participate in management
decisions.
It seems that the days of business etiquette are gone. Bosses
shout demands at their employees and rarely offer a word of
thanks. Within the same hour, they will treat a potential
customer with the greatest manners, issuing broad compliments
and apologies.
Successful leaders know those who work around them and support
them need to be treated just as kindly. Giving a listening ear
to colleagues across departmental lines and sharing in the joys
and challenges of their lives will add to a leader\\\'s ability
to connect. Successful leaders know that when they show how much
they genuinely care, their staff and customers will feel
empowered to make the extra effort to help them achieve success.
4) I will maintain a positive view of my environment and self,
persevere in overcoming challenges, and improve self care to
manage stressors of life.
There is no doubt that every leader will face challenges this
new year. The type of challenges faced may not be as important
as how the challenge is faced. Successful leaders provide
themselves with regular self care. By taking care of their
spiritual, familial, social, physical and mental life, they are
better prepared for the tough challenges when they come.
Successful leaders appear to be resilient, always persevering
through every challenge. 5) I will maintain resiliency by seeing
every challenge as an opportunity to improve.
Successful leaders take the challenges before them and reframe
them as opportunities for learning and success. Perception is
everything. When the challenges come, find the opportunity
within the challenge and see that positive results are achieved.
When you take the time to write your New Year's resolutions, be
sure to add these five factors that predict leadership success.
Best wishes for a happy and successful New Year!