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!