Remarkable success begins simply.
Fools make simple things complicated.
- Complexity leads to confusion.
- Confusion produces anxiety.
- Anxiety creates insecurity.
- Insecurity leads to stagnation.
The 5 best four-letter words for leaders
#1. Kind
Unkindness is always bad. But a person in a rush has no time to be kind.
Jeff Bezos said, “Cleverness is a gift. Kindness is a choice. Gifts are easy…. Choices can be hard.”
Kindness is about:
- Respectful tone.
- Good manners.
- Perspective taking.
- Generous affirmation.
- Moving toward, instead of away.
The best time to be kind is when you’re being tough.
Kindness with drive grows remarkable relationships and delivers delightful results.
Reflection: What actions come to mind when you think of being kind?
#2. With
People go further ‘WITH‘ than they go alone.
How might you create partnership between team members that nurture development, enhance ideation, bolster accountability, and fuel energy?
- Pair up people on projects.
- Assign a two-person team to plan your next team meeting.
- Create accountability partners who track each other’s progress toward goals.
Warning: The wrong ‘with’ destroys enthusiasm and defeats resolve.
Remarkable things begin in connection with others.
Reflection: How might you let others know that you are their ‘with’?
#3. Hope
Forget about hope-so hope. Think of hope as confidence. What are your points of confidence?
Developing hope:
- What challenges have you already won?
- How do past wins inform and enable the next step?
- Who might step up in new ways?
- How might you take the next step?
Leaders believe progress is possible.
#4. Brag
Bragging is bad when you do it about yourself and good when you do it about others.
#5. Stop
One of the toughest questions you ever ask is, “What do we need to stop?”
What four-letter word for leaders might you add to the above list?
What four-letter word is most relevant for you today?