Being a
slightly older gentleman, I am considered a digital immigrant (vs a digital
native)! Growing up our home appliances were built and operated the way they
were made at the factory. Even as I grew older, the TVs, clock radios, etc. I purchased were made with increasingly complex functionality but they were still programmed
to work via “solid state” technology. In other words even though they performed
complex electronic tasks, the way they were made and programmed determined how
they functioned with no variation. In a way, we as individuals operate the same
way!
Most of the
time, we operate on “auto-pilot” even when engaging in such complex tasks as interpersonal
communication, problem solving and, yes, leadership! But do we really reflect
on whether or not the way we are operating is effective for the needs of our
current job or role? The point is all of us have a "firmware" wired
into us based upon past experience, personality, and prior learning.
For those
unfamiliar with the term, “firmware” is the internal programming that monitors
and carries out the basic function of many electronic devices we use today such
as cell phones, TVs, radios, and even refrigerators! Even more amazing,
however, is that firmware can now be updated to make the device more efficient
and adaptable. All you need is a WiFi connection and your refrigerator learns
how to make better ice-cubes!
Similarly, we
can update our own leadership firmware.
It requires a variety of things to do so but here are the basics:
- Increase your SELF-AWARENESS through honest self-appraisal of how you are currently operating. There are many great assessments out there that can help you with this. I am currently certified to coach on the Maxwell Leadership Assessment. This is a 3600 Leadership Assessment that measures current operating as well as progress on Maxwell's 5 Levels of Leadership work. A word of caution, this will take courage! I asked members of my own team to complete the Maxwell assessment for me and there were definitely some “ouch” moments!
- Based upon the new knowledge gained from honest self-appraisal, you need to next IDENTIFY WHERE you need to increase your skill level and intentionally grow in those areas. As John Maxwell and other leadership author’s state, it is important that you focus on improving those areas of strength to get exponentially better since just focusing on weaknesses will yield just incremental gains. Intentional growth involves any number or options and there is no wrong way to grow. Just get started with a new book, watching short videos, or subscribing to weekly blogs such as this. The web has tons of resources that are free to use so just jump in the pool!
- Next, you have to PRACTICE or REHEARSE these new skills and approaches in order to APPLY them consistently. This may feel a bit awkward at first but this is where the "firmware updates" take hold and produce results when we close the gap between what we KNOW we need to do and what we actually DO.
I both challenge and encourage you to think about
what you need to update in the coming weeks.
Feel free to contact me
if I may be of assistance at bill@outloudinc.com.
As always, I want you to Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD!
Yours in
Leadership,
Bill Faulkner
Co-Founder –
Out Loud Strategies
Independent Coach,
Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team TM
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