Are You INTROSPECTIVE Enough To Be A Good Leader?

For decades, I have written, and spoken about the importance of possessing objective introspection, yet it seems very few individuals in positions of leadership, consider this seriously, and actually, undergo the process. What does it mean, and why is it an important factor/ asset/ behavior? First, it's important because how can you determine the best course of action, until/ unless you first fully know your own, personal strengths, weaknesses, fears, and the restrictions you place on yourself, by remaining within your comfort zone? One must be ready, willing and able, to take a deep look within, and periodically perform a checkup, from the neck - up. However, while many people believe they do so, unless they proceed objectively, and evaluate themselves, as they would others, the process loses its value. Let's review, from a mnemonic perspective, what it means, for a leader to be INTROSPECTIVE.

1. Ideas; integrity: Are you taking a true look, and objectively evaluating, or trying to simply, fool yourself? This process requires absolute integrity, and objectivity. How will you know if you've introduced the best ideas, unless you first undergo this evaluation?

2. Needs; niche: Are you better in some things than others? Knowing what you do best, helps you realize your best, personal niche, and thus, makes you more efficient and effective. A leader can only address needs of those he serves, if he first realizes his own!

3. Timely: When you get to understand yourself better, you position yourself, to be able to decisively respond, or proactively address, the obstacles and challenges facing your organization. When one is introspective, he stops self - doubt, and acts in a well - considered, timely manner!

4. Relevant; realistic; reasonable: You must first be realistic about yourself, before you can truly serve others! Knowing how you really feel, enhances your willingness and ability to be reasonable. A leader must pursue relevant pursuits, and reducing one's lack of clarity, usually goes a long way, towards that ends!

5. Objective; options: While it is important to possess a positive attitude, it must be a true one, or achieves little of consequence! Being objective, and examining yourself as you would others, helps you clarify options, and pursue the best course.

6. Strong: Why do some talented leaders seem to lack a degree of strength? Strong leadership comes from understanding and comfort, and must begin with personal insight.

7. Planning; priorities: Introspective behavior leads to creating, developing, implementing, and possessing the best priorities! This leads to the most effective leadership planning.

8. Effective; example: The better you know what makes you tick, the better chance of being an effective leader. When a leader does this, he sets an example, which others will want to follow!

9. Clear; cooperative: Inner conflicts often cause those in leadership positions, to behave in an adversarial, argumentative manner, rather than a cooperative one! You should know yourself, so you can proceed with a sense of clarity, and clear direction!

10. Trustworthy: If you are walking around with an inner conflict, trying to portray yourself outwardly, in a way which conflicts with your true inner - self, how can others consider you to be trustworthy?

11. Ideology; inspiration: The better you understand yourself, the clearer and more powerful, will you be able to articulate your ideology! Should a leader become an inspiration, to those he serves?

12. Visionary; value; values: We often speak about a leader's vision, but how visionary can anyone be, if they don't clearly understand what makes them tick? A true leader stays true to his values, thus producing quality and value, to constituents.

13. Empathy: How can you exhibit a high degree of empathy, until/ unless you have a better personal understanding?

Be an objectively INTROSPECTIVE leader. If so, you'll be able to persist and persevere, while wannabes quit!

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to thousands of leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for leadership planning: http://facebook.com/Plan2lead



 By Richard Brody


Article Source: Are You INTROSPECTIVE Enough To Be A Good Leader?