Weight Loss for Leaders

You can’t win with rocks in your pockets.

Weight…

• Steals energy.
• Slows decisions.
• Drains resolve.

Weight Loss for Leaders

Clarity is weight loss for leaders.

#1. Drop the Rock of Yesterday

Old wins become new anchors.

Yesterday’s successful playbook becomes today’s prison.

Repeating what used to work is exhausting.

Tips

1. Rewrite the playbook.
2. Retire useless activities.
3. Ask, “What would we do if we started today?”
4. Reward experiments.

Fresh thinking creates lift.

#2. Drop the rock of knowing

You’re a know-it-all if everyone else is an idiot. Knowing gives you a closed mind.

A closed mind…

1. Creates resistance.
2. Invites defensiveness.
3. Turns talent into spectators.

Knowledge opens your mouth and closes your ears.

Know-it-alls are surrounded by untapped talent.

Tips

1. Replace answers with questions.
2. Ask, “What do you see?”
3. Invite constructive dissent.
4. Make heroes of others.

Open ears make leaders lighter.

#3. Drop the Rock of Fatigue

Everything is harder when you’re tired.

Exhaustion makes burdens of opportunities. Fatigue magnifies problems.

Tips

1. Shorten meetings.
2. Take the stairs.
3. Go to bed 30 minutes early.
4. Turn off your phone before dinner.
5. Follow joy.
6. Do hard stuff when you’re at your best.
7. Snack healthy.

Rest is fuel.

#4. Drop the Rock of Destructive Beliefs

1. “I must have all the answers.”
2. “I must stay in control.”
3. “Vulnerability is weakness.”
4. “Conflict is always bad.”

Tips

1. Say, “I screwed up.”
2. Ask for one favor.
3. Share one fear with a confidant.
4. Let someone lead a promising initiative.

The longer you carry a rock, the heavier it gets.

What does weight loss for leaders look like to you?

What’s on your “weight loss for leaders” list?

Rocks in Your Pockets: Drop the Weight that Holds You Back

The Weight of Leadership: Carrying It, Sharing It, and Letting it Go — Herverse