Real leadership is not about position, it’s about action. And great leaders spend their days helping those around them manifest their highest human potential while they work towards a vision that adds value to the world at large.
~ Robin Sharma, author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Everyday Hero Manifesto
Impact. That’s what great leaders want to have. And what’s the most positive means of making that happen? By helping others manifest their highest human potential while they work towards a vision that adds value to the world at large.
That’s worth keeping in mind. It’s also at the heart of being able to answer “Yes!” to The 3 Life Questions™ every day.
Why? First, because there is no finer impact one can have than to elevate the lives of others in service to the world. Second, clearing away obstacles so others can reach their highest potential brings out the best in them and in you. And third, because focusing on the growth and development of others fosters authentic, lasting relationships – the type of relationships that create meaning and fulfillment.
Bonus: leading in this fashion is also essential for building a great company. As Sharma writes, “With increasing competition, only those organizations that develop leaders at every level will have the agility and effectiveness to excel in these topsy-turvy times. The organizations that rely on the outdated “top down” model of leadership will not have the speed and nimbleness to go head-to-head against competing companies where everyone understands their duty to show leadership in the way they work and live.”
So how might a leader do this? Sharma offers 4 lessons:
1.
Understand that, at the end of the day, leadership is all about relationships. People will not follow you if they do not trust you. They will not invest in your products or services unless they truly feel you have their best interests in mind and sincerely care about them. Leaders keep their promises, doing what they say they will do when they say they will do it. They are punctual and respectful. And they are courteous, always remembering to say “please” and “thank you” at every reasonable opportunity.
2.
Remember that the quality of your professional and personal life ultimately comes down to the quality of the choices you make every minute of every hour of every day. One of the most important choices that effective leaders make is to raise their standards. They commit themselves from the core of their beings to being true masters at the work they do. They are hungry to learn from the best. They spend time daily refining their talents and reading from great books. They take time weekly to reflect on the way they are conducting their businesses and course correct so the next week builds on the past one.
3.
Stop doing what is easy and focus on doing what is right. When you have the courage and strength of character to do what your heart tells you is the right thing to do in every instance, rather than doing what is easy, you will raise the quality of your professional and personal life to a whole new level.
4.
Smart leaders know that the time is now. Stop putting off living. Now is the time to move to the next level in your career. Now is the time to upgrade your education or learn new skills that will allow you to serve your clients better. Now is the time to enrich your mind and shed the shackles of complacency. Now is the time to go the extra mile for your customers and distinguish yourself in a crowded marketplace. Now is the time to deeply connect with your family and build great friendships. And now is the time to enjoy the journey of life – before it becomes too late.
How about you? How consistently are you applying Sharma’s 4 lessons? Where are you stuck? What’s not going quite the way you envisioned it? What are your dreams and aspirations? What’s keeping you from achieving them?
The time for action is now.
Chris Kenny, The 3 Life Questions™
