Leaders Need Life
Skills Too! (Ninth in Series) When we hear the term
"leader" we often think about courage, charisma, perseverance and
vision but sometimes lost in this is the fact that in order to
develop into a great leader a person needs to master
key life skills. We've been exploring our list of the Twelve Key
Life Skills that your future leaders need to master. This
month......
Life Skill
#9-Flexibility and Adaptability Do you ever notice that
the really successful leaders are those that can step into any type
of situation and feel comfortable? It has a lot to do with their
level of self-confidence but
it's also about simply knowing, going in, that as a leader they will
probably have to
operate in difficult environments well outside of
their comfort zone.
The key to developing your flexibility is to first
get comfortable outside of your
comfort zone. Force yourself to go where you may not
feel so comfortable or in control. Realize that growing as a leader
will require you to work, often
times, in an unfriendly, challenging or even hostile situation.
Think about the following as you test your
flexibility:
- Remind Yourself--It's not about you--it's
about what you are trying to change or get your group to do.
- Lion's Den Mentality-Ask
yourself how your ideas may be attacked or challenged before you
go in!
- Study Your Environment--Know
all you can about your audience or those you are trying to
influence.
- Identify Examples or
Illustrations of your points that the particular audience
can really relate to.
Flexibility
Challenge-Think about the different audiences you address
or try to influence over a week's time. Note how you have to
interact differently with the various levels and types of people you
address. This is not about talking down to people--it's about
recognizing the different ways you interact and noting what's most
effective.
