Leadership ID Workshop: Day 1
Imagine…You are my boss (or at least my team leader).
And I am a young, bright, and energetic talent ready to hit the ground running.
I can’t wait to find out what you and this organization is all about. I want to make a good impression, but I really don’t know how things work around here.
Are you the kind of leader that is going to be there for me? Or are you going to be like all the others? One who makes a lot of promises, but over time disappears into your corner office and hands down decisions that don’t make any sense to me.
When I choose to be loyal to an organization it is because, you are leader who:
• Is consistent in the way you behave, no Jekyl and Hydes working here.
• I can count on to make sound decisions every day, because you know what you believe.
• I trust because what you say and what you do look the same.
• I respect your point of view because you respect mine.
• I am willing to take feedback from and make changes because what you expect of me is apparent.
Creating your Leadership ID or Personal Leadership Philosophy is one of the first steps to transformational leadership. One of the core tenants of Transformational Leadership is to lead by example and set expectations.
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is:
They FAIL to be clear about what they believe and expect.
So many leaders unknowingly end up being inconsistent in their behavior, decisions, and expectations.
To effectively model the behavior you want to see in others and establish trust and respect YOU MUST know and share your leadership identity or your personal leadership philosophy
Your beliefs and values shape how you act and make decisions and what you expect from other people.
There are no “right or wrong” answers. What you believe is what you believe. It serves as the foundation or the core of all that you do, both as an individual and as a leader.
People will follow a leader who knows who they are and what they believe.
Do you know what you believe?
Maybe, maybe not! Either way the first step is to know concretely what you believe, not what you should believe, but what you actually believe.
Use these guiding questions to help you identify your core beliefs and values:
1. What do you believe? What are the value and beliefs you have acquired from your family, community, faith, experiences, friends, and education that shape the way you see the world?
2. Which values do you refuse to compromise?
3. What is the single most important thing to you?
Start with a blank page (or use this handy worksheet) and just brainstorm, freestyle, no format, no sentences, no grammar, just start writing down words, phrases, expressions, ideas that come to your mind when you think about what you believe and value.
Remember, be honest with yourself. This is for you.
Don’t worry about impressing any one; just think about what you actually believe. Be true to yourself.
Just let it go! I’ll wait!
Now you should have a pretty good brain dump with all sorts of stuff, so let’s get organized.
You’re going to do a bit of “sorting and coding”:
Step 1: Group together the ideas that reflect a similar or common value.
Step 2: Decide which word or phrase best represents that value or belief within each group.
Step 3: Select the 3 words or phrases that truly reflect your core values (hold onto these, you’re going to need them in a couple of days for Exercise 3)
This is what it looked like when I did it!
Brainstorm: I believe I can make a difference in the world, I believe I can help others succeed. People can make a difference together. Everyone is different! Value differences. Meet people where they are.”Be the change you want to see in the world”. NEVER compromise my integrity. Have an impact. Be impactful. Young people rock!
(Remember this is what I believe, you might have similar beliefs OR totally different beliefs…maybe you believe difference is an obstacle and we can only change ourselves and not others, that’s great because that’s what you believe)
Step 1: Grouping my ideas similar concepts; “me making a difference” “others being different” “helping others”
I believe I can make a difference in the world; “Be the change you want to see in the world”. NEVER compromise my integrity. . Young people rock!
Everyone is different! Value differences; Meet people where they are. People can make a difference together.
NEVER compromise my integrity.
I believe I can help others succeed; Have an impact. Be impactful.
Step 2: Best words to represent those concepts
Difference; Diversity; Integrity; Respect
Step 3: Now, I sorted and coded and its time for my lofty and bold statements:
• Make a difference
• Respect and value difference
• Have Integrity
Wow!
Now you’ve got some bold words and statements about your Leadership ID or personal leadership philosophy.
Hold onto to these, you’ll need them for Exercise #3.
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