NHBR Column – Embracing Self-Leadership

Andrew Bryant defines self-leadership as, “having a developed sense of who you are, what you can do, where you are going coupled with the ability to influence your communication, emotions and behaviors on the way to getting there.” These are a few areas to consider to up your self-leadership game.  

Believe in Yourself. When interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady said about his football successes: “I think the greatest thing for you is to believe in yourself, because if you don’t believe in yourself, who’s going to believe in you?”  

Build Trust. Achieving trust requires understanding how our actions and behaviors impact others. In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,  Stephen Covey writes, “It simply makes no difference how good the rhetoric is or even how good the intentions are; if there is little or no trust, there is no foundation for permanent success.”  

Use Your Time Wisely.  Covey reminds us to “put first things first.” So much of our lives are tied up in urgent obligations and responsibilities, but ensuring there is time for important (but not immediately urgent) activities is essential to create a meaningful life.   

Empathy, Curiosity, and Humility. Striving to understand another’s perspective might seem like a lost art these days, but it cannot be emphasized enough. Engaging and asking questions in the spirit of curiosity are essential. Humility is closely related, requiring us to be open to the ideas of others.  

Be Mindful and Present. When engaging with others, we show them we care by giving our undivided attention.   

What steps could you take to up your self-leadership skills?  We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!   

You can read my full column on this topic at  https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2024/07/12/?article=4240151.