4 Steps to Healthy Leadership
Since we’ve all heard the adage “everything rolls downhill”, it only makes sense that when it comes to leadership, the adage would do the same.
It is my experience that when the DNA of business owners and high level managers contains healthy management components this spreads throughout the organization and everyone benefits. The work flows better, the atmosphere is conducive to creativity or inspiration and the people thrive leading the business to profitability.
Healthy leaders are not just interested in short-term opportunities. They are focused on the future and providing clearly defined goals that their staff can achieve while experiencing personal success and the opportunity for career advancement. In the process, these leaders are thinking about the legacy they will leave, and the value of depositing their long-term vision in their people.
When employees feel inspired, valued and rewarded by their leaders, they are more productive and more likely to carry their positive attitude outside the organization. They are then compelled to make a positive impact on their families, their neighborhoods and their communities leaving a mark in their part of the world!
In today’s instant gratification society, many owners and managers get bogged down in the short-term, make-money-now mentality. They are overly busy with day-to-day operations: trading short-term results for long-term success that can actually expand the company and change lives of the employees.
It’s time to deal with the unprofitable daily demands of your business and to make room for higher level thinking and habits that really make a difference.
The following are 4 Steps to Healthy Leadership that places an emphasis on long-term results.
1. Decide to make a difference
Business owners and managers make decisions all day long, especially those caught up in frantic daily operations. Therefore, it’s necessary that you decide to make a change in yourself that can be replicated throughout your organization.
2. Insist on having time to ponder possibilities
As an owner or manager, you are in control of the schedule and can make time for quiet thinking. You can start with 15 minutes and work into longer stretches of time as you begin to see the value in your solitude. Since you have decided to make a difference, you now must learn how to free your mind so that you can think innovative thoughts. You will no doubt realize that silence and solitude are as productive as conversations and meetings.
3. Ask yourself questions, and be ready to give answers
Once you have scheduled your time to ponder the possibilities, write out questions that you will answer in your solitude. Start with one question, such as “Why am I taking this time to think.” You can write down your answers and just allow your thoughts to flow freely in your mind. Don’t time yourself: instead, give yourself the freedom to answer one or more questions with as much detail as you need. I relate this to entrepreneurial meditation. It’s tough at first – but once you get the hang of it you’ll value your one-on-one time with yourself.
4. Let your ACTIONS do the talking
One of the rules of good writing is to show, not tell. This is also true of healthy leaders who model the behavior and habits that they want to impart to their employees. If you’re making changes during your quiet time, it will show up in your actions, not just your words.
Don’t just talk about change: Be the change!