Character – Page 2 – Leadership Mindset

When Leadership and Humanity Collide

When you as a leader, believe the best in people, it produces powerful results – it reduces individual stress levels, increases loyalty and trust, and improves creativity. It is a safeguard to jumping to wrong conclusions about others.

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I wanted to end the 2020 year by sharing my experience about believing the best in people, compassion and leadership.

Here is my story: my stress levels had reached a point where I was having trouble thinking straight. I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this or not, but it really bothered me because I don’t normally react that way to stress. The stress had built up over time and I didn’t notice how much until I found myself with muddled thinking.

Powerful and Effective Leaders

Humility is a better predictor of performance and success than intelligence. Humble leadership means that you don’t believe your positive qualities and life achievements entitle you to special treatment from others and it doesn’t mean downplaying your strengths and achievements.

Humility and Leadership – What?

It doesn’t seem right.

Many people have a hard time wrapping their brains around the idea of a humble leader. Quiet leaders and powerful leadership don’t seem to mix. But here’s the truth, humble leaders are effective and powerful.

Leaders are Everyday Heroes Who Inspire

The world is looking for leaders that bring hope and inspire us to do better, be better, and make the world a better place. These kinds of leaders are more likely to achieve their goals or vision because they are able to bring others along on their journey. Are you the leader who inspires others?

2020 is definitely a year to remember. While there have been several events that have played a big role in shaping the year, the most memorable is COVID. As COVID wears on, and COVID fatigue sets in, I am, and I dare say that we all are looking for inspiration and hope. We are looking for leaders to bring that hope, to inspire us to do better, to be better and to to make the world a better place.

Courage Part 2: What Will Others Think? Approval Addiction and People Pleasing

Worrying about what others think of us will affect our ability to be an effective leader, to be courageous, step out of of our comfort zone, and pursue our goals. People pleasing and approval addiction get in the way of: important work, sticking to your values and principles and making an impact.

When I was growing up, my mother would always say, “what will people think?” It would drive me bananas, I would say, “who cares what they think?”

Some of us spend a lot of time caring about what other people think of us, and what we are doing; many of these people are either casual acquaintances or strangers. Worrying about what others think affects our ability to be courageous, to step out of our comfort zone, pursue those things that make us better, and become the leaders we want to be.

Character – Courage

Leaders have courage. They face their fear by meeting it head on, by putting aside their emotions, and taking one step at a time to conquer fear. Otherwise it will derail them from their goals and vision. There are steps to overcome the fear and keep going. The more experience you get being courageous, the more fearless and courageous you become.

Integrity and courage are critical to leadership.

Courage has three features: a noble goal, personal risk, and choice.

I’m not talking about running into a burning building courage. I’m talking about Brené Brown’s:

”ordinary courage; the courage to be vulnerable and disappointed. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.”

Character – Integrity

Integrity is the consistency of character that people want and need in a leader. It gives followers confidence in the leader, it helps people understand and predict future actions, and it builds trust. How leaders deal with integrity on little things will indicate how they will deal with integrity on larger things.

What is integrity?

Integrity means following your moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances. It means that your are true to yourself and would do nothing that would disgrace or discredit you. It is your moral compass.

Why is integrity important?

Leadership and Character

It is simple acts and decisions repeated over time, that build and define your character. It is your personal values and beliefs that show up in your leadership. Character is the foundation for leadership, it is the moral compass for how leaders lead and live life. Poor character is one of the reasons for leadership failure.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch you habits, they become character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Frank Outlaw

Character the Foundation for Leadership

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What is integrity?

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