“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
― Albert Einstein
The last chapter of my upcoming book, which will be published later this year, is entitled “Continuously learn the art of leadership”. While the chapter is brief, why would I devote an entire chapter to this topic? Why is this so important?
Each of the leadership behaviors discussed in my book, as well as in my leadership seminars, are simple concepts to understand. However, they are not always easy to implement.
Why is that?
Life gets stressful and discipling our behaviors is hard.
As leaders, monitoring our behaviors is exceedingly important. Team members are watching us. Our behaviors are emulated. Consequently, our behaviors create the team culture…the leader owns the culture…and team culture dictates team performance.
Here’s the good news – as leaders, while much of what we’re responsible for lies outside our direct span of control, our behaviors are exceptions. We control our behaviors 100% of the time.
…the leader owns the culture…and team culture dictates team performance.
Once I fully understood this truth, I put much more energy, effort and focus on monitoring my behaviors.
Did I make mistakes? Absolutely. While in command at Naval Hospital Bremerton, I recall losing my temper in a very public forum when doling out punishment to a staff member during a formal proceeding called Captain’s mast*. I was very frustrated, and my growing frustration caused my explosion of anger during the proceedings. I crossed the line and humiliated the staff member.
I regretted it immediately, but the damage was done. As one of my great mentors liked to say, the toothpaste was out of the tube and there was no putting it back.
What helped me become more disciplined? I read books and articles, observed and talked with other leaders, as well as attended leadership development workshops when my schedule permitted.
Why did I devote a separate chapter of my book to the importance of learning/relearning the art of leadership? Why is this behavior so important?
…find a means to remind yourself of the profound impact your behaviors have on team culture and performance.
During my leadership journey, through either reading, observing, or studying, I was reminded of the importance of my behaviors. Consequently, when faced with a challenging situation, especially during a vulnerable time when life was a bit messy and my stress level peaking, I was better prepared to react appropriately.
Be a great leader and find a means, i.e. perpetuate ‘intellectual growth’ as Einstein put it, to remind yourself of the profound impact your behaviors have on team culture and performance. Be mindful that the only entity you control 100% of the time are your behaviors.