Copyright © 2005 Mark Susnow
Inspire Possibility
http://www.inspirepossibility.com
Many people are born leaders, yet the ability
to lead is actually an art and an amazing collection of skills,
which can be learned and sharpened through a series of daily habits
and activities. The following ten keys will provide the foundation
for a powerful leadership development plan and can be your guide
in expanding what is possible in your life personally, professionally,
and spiritually.
1. Start your day with Intention.
There is a direct correlation with how you start
your day and the quality of your life. Most people start the day
in a hurry and as a result play catch up all day long. Unless
you try something different this sense of not being able to get
it all done won’t change. Here is a suggestion. Spend 10-15
minutes each morning for daily reflection looking at the major
areas of your life: career, relationship, family, community, and
spirituality. Ask yourself what are you grateful for and what
do you intend to accomplish. Then ask yourself what will be the
highlight of your day. By asking yourself this question you will
have created a positive expectation throughout the day. No matter
what is going on or who you are interacting with, you can always
ask yourself this question. Remember this time in the morning
is your time and no one else’s so it is essential to take
this time before listening to the news or reading the paper. This
practice becomes a spiritual practice and mental discipline so
that your ability to focus and concentrate increases dramatically.
You also expand your ability to say no to limiting beliefs.
2. Be dedicated to a high level of learning.
Great leaders are highly competent, because they
are dedicated to a high level of learning, growth, and improvement.
They know the worse thing they can do is to be too comfortable.
Spend 15-20 minutes each day devoted to learning something new.
Do not settle for knowing "how" to do something. Dig
deeper by asking the question "why" and then go find
the answer. Search the internet, consult with experts, or take
a day trip to find the answer to a question that is on your mind
or the minds of those who follow you. Don’t hesitate to hire
a consultant, coach or expert in your field. At the end of the
day ask yourself “what did I learn today?”
3. Follow a regular exercise routine.
One of the most beneficial and practical habits
you can develop is a regular exercise routine. There is no question
that regular exercise has many benefits. The most energetic people
that I come in contact with all exercise. They look better, feel
better and always seem to have time to do what they want. From
a time management perspective they are mentally alert, more efficient
and able to get more done in less time. From a health prospective
there are numerous studies that document the value of exercise….just
read any of the bulletins from the American Heart Association.
An additional benefit is that many leaders have asserted that
during exercise solutions to challenges are revealed.
4. Discover your strengths.
The strengths profile finder from the book NOW!
Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton,
Ph.D. is a revolutionary program which can show you how to discover
and then develop your unique talents and gifts. One of the secrets
to discovering your leadership potential lies in your ability
to exercise your strengths, not in dwelling on your weaknesses.
This tool by Buckingham and Clifton can guide you to becoming
a high performing and empowered individual.
5. Be an innovator by tapping into your creativity.
Many adults move through life thinking "I
am not creative," and wondering "What if?" As humans,
we all have the ability to be wildly creative, and sometimes,
this requires practice. By spending time each day with the support
of tools such as "Five Star Mind" by Tom Wujec, you
can begin to unlock and expand the creative potential that lies
deep within you. Using puzzles, mind-mapping, word association,
and the power of curiosity, you can stimulate your intuition,
innovation, and creative expression. As Napoleon Hill stated "All
the 'breaks' you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination
is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind-energy into
accomplishment and wealth." As your creativity soars, you
will find that others will view you as a leader and will be attracted
to you for your amazing ability to be innovative.
6. Be willing to interrupt your thought patterns.
Herbert Benson, M.D., a Harvard cardiologist,
in his latest bestseller The Breakout Principle, describes a four
stage process in which new insights and peak experiences are achieved.
According to Benson and his researchers, the first stage in this
process occurs when there is a crisis or a problem that you are
attempting to solve. In the second stage what is important is
to interrupt your thought pattern by breaking away from your predicament
and doing something totally different. You might leave the building
and take a walk, go to the gym, or listen to some music. In the
third phase, when the mind is less stressed and less cluttered,
the peak experience or solution occurs quite often accompanied
by something unexpected-a surprise that produces new ideas or
higher levels of performance. In the fourth phase you incorporate
your new insights and improved performance into your everyday
way of life and live from this new standard.
7. Start or join a Master Mind Group.
Did you know that Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham
Bell, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone were all members of a Mastermind
Group? This group of Leaders knew something many of us do not
know. They knew that the key to their success was in their ability
to rely on each other for feedback, ideas, accountability, and
above all...support! These men controlled much of the industry
of the United States during the height of their careers. Innovation
and expansion in human thought often result from teams that mentally
capitalize on the principle of collaborative thinking. With spontaneous
expression and interchange of thoughts with folks who are up to
big things in life, a mastermind group can shift your awareness,
expand your thinking, and can take you to unprecedented levels
of leadership.
8. Don't be a one trick pony.
Most people spend too much time working. They
don’t realize they have a choice. If you spend all your time
and energy working, you limit your understanding of yourself and
of people in general. You will be unable to see the big picture.
From this limited perspective you will find it difficult to connect
with other people and to enroll them in your vision. Have an open
mind and develop interests and hobbies and become a complete person.
Become involved in your community and become interested in how
you can contribute. Quite often it is outside the office when
you make the key strategic alliances.
9. Develop the ability to fully express yourself
and be a better communicator.
Have you ever had a meeting or encounter with
someone and as soon as it was over, you said to yourself “why
didn’t I say that?” If you haven’t had that experience
you are unique. The ability to express ourselves is an essential
tool in our ability to create impact. Develop this skill. Be aware
of what you are really feeling in the particular moment so that
you do not make agreements you do not intend to keep. You might
want to consider joining Toastmasters or Speaking Circles to fine
tune your ability to speak on your feet.
10. Embrace change.
It’s happens everyday... that is change.
Prepare to adapt to what is happening. Have you ever noticed how
rapidly children change and we as adults try to put the brakes
on change. Studies show that the average person has at least five
different careers. Change can lead to innovation and can be exciting.
Ask yourself what is possible. Ask yourself what can I create?
Prepare yourself for change. Try something like yoga. It makes
your mind more flexible and as a result you look at life differently.
