Michelle Mei
A Leader's Kryptonite

We manage processes, numbers, and resources, but people are meant to be led. Great leaders recognize our humanity, our free will, our uniqueness, and the true form of leading is accomplished through influence.

A Leader's Kryptonite
Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Self-Leadership
Michelle Mei
Self-Awareness Equals Better Relationships

Self-awareness is the product of intentional self-examination. Sometimes we are surrounded by such noise that it takes an intentional appointment to make room for the stillness needed for contemplation and getting in touch with ourselves. This understanding of our own emotional states, moods, and motivations in turn allows us to better empathize with others, which is a critical leadership quality.

Self-Awareness Equals Better Relationships
Leadership, Team Development, Employee Engagement
Michelle Mei
One Ridiculously Simple Secret to Higher Team ...

Gallup research has found that 67% of employees whose managers communicated their strengths were fully engaged in their work, while only 31% of employees whose managers only communicated their weaknesses were engaged in their work. As leaders we frequently spend untold hours procuring trainings and seminars to improve metrics, but as the German poet and critic Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything."

One Ridiculously Simple Secret to Higher Team Productivity

Leadership

, ,

Leadership Starts with You

, ,

Iconic basketball coach John Wooden said, “First be best, then be first.” This line gives the imperative to earn our place as leaders. Some might think leaders are merely appointed, and that appointment is sufficient to claim authority, but understanding leadership as merely positional misses the nature of leadership altogether. More tragically, understanding leadership in this singular way omits the secret to effective leadership. Appointments are meant to reflect a deeper dynamic, an authority not based on position, but integrity.

“First be Best, then be first.” - Coach John Wooden

Integrity Matters

But wait a minute, isn’t integrity just about being reliable and trustworthy? Yes, it is about those things, but in a leadership capacity, these traits translate to reliably embodying the skills, determination, know-how, and vision to reach the goals for the team. It’s about being the type of person your team can trust to take them to where you’re being called upon to go.

And being that person is not just about your team. When you are the best, when you are the person that can reliably take your team to where they need to go in a trustworthy, competent manner, they will respect you. But even more importantly, you will respect yourself, which will mean your manner will be in alignment with your leadership actions. At the end of the day, knowing you have given yourself and others your best helps you earn not just personal confidence but the confidence of those you seek to influence.

It Changes Others

People experience hope and garner inspiration when someone demonstrates how to overcome an obstacle or meet a desired goal. The greatest throughout history is regarded as the greatest because they not only cast a vision, they worked tirelessly to gain the knowledge and pathways to achieving it. They showed people what was truly possible in new and exciting ways. All effective leaders, through their own example, give people hope.

Do you want to reap the benefits of self-leadership for your team? Our weekly Leadership Lessons are a fantastic tool for helping you up your leadership game.

, ,

Self-Awareness Equals Better Relationships

, ,
Self-Awareness Equals Better Relationships

Self-awareness is the product of intentional self-examination. Sometimes we are surrounded by such noise that it takes an intentional appointment to make room for the stillness needed for contemplation and getting in touch with ourselves. This understanding of our own emotional states, moods, and motivations in turn allows us to better empathize with others, which is a critical leadership quality.

, ,

One Ridiculously Simple Secret to Higher Team Productivity

, ,
One Ridiculously Simple Secret to Higher Team Productivity

Gallup research has found that 67% of employees whose managers communicated their strengths were fully engaged in their work, while only 31% of employees whose managers only communicated their weaknesses were engaged in their work. As leaders we frequently spend untold hours procuring trainings and seminars to improve metrics, but as the German poet and critic Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything."

, ,

Controlling vs. Leading: Are You a Bottleneck?

, ,

I was new on a team one time and found myself partnering with a truly talented individual. Over time, she and I shared our thoughts on how the team had some inefficiencies. Soon after, I got curious and asked why she was not speaking up about the ineffectiveness. It turned out that she did not feel as though she could; she was never once asked for ideas and input, and additionally, her manager appeared to be very attached to the current process. Over time, this created a feeling for her that no one was interested in her opinion. Maybe you’ve felt that way before too? Perhaps you may have caused others to feel that way unintentionally?

Do you remember the last time you wanted to be controlled and monitored? Managing for results is an essential function, but managing by controlling can stifle creativity, the individual’s willingness to commit, and their drive to deliver exceptional results.

To lead is to focus on people first, mission always. Leaders who manage this way know that to deliver results, it’s about the people. Understanding their people’s motivation, heart (purpose and passion), and talent, they seek to drive a team’s motivation, knowing that at the end of the day, it’s a motivated team that accomplishes a mission.

At a basic level, people crave a sense of purpose and want to build trusting relationships; therefore, servant leaders focus on leading and inspiring. They know their responsibility is to take care of their people, and their people will then take care of the mission. When we lead, we should first engage the heart of those we’re leading, and then we can leverage the passions and talents of our people to get things done. This approach becomes empowering to all involved—our people deliver excellent outcomes, and the company thrives.

To quickly check and evaluate if you are managing or leading, download our free guide “Manager vs. Leader.” Join the Leader Momentum movement to learn more about servant leadership. Learn more at www.leader-momentum.com.