The foundation of wellbeing is belonging.
“High belonging was linked to a whopping 56% in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, a 75% reduction in sick days.” HBR
Belonging is the #1 driver of performance, but only 6% of leaders recognize it.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.”
7 People who don’t count:
Sir Sits-A-Lot – Always observing, never engaging.
Mrs. Hindsight – Knows everything after the fact.
Captain Critic – Leads no one, judges everyone.
More…
I brought home a new Jeep Wrangler for a weekend test drive.
We have a six-foot grassy bank leading up to our lawn. I thought, “Perfect. Let’s see if this baby can climb!”
I engaged the 4-wheel drive and hit the bank with confidence.
This is what happened next. Lessons from ruts.
Pessimists can’t lead. Leading is the practice of restless optimism.
Contentment that induces slumber degrades you. Accept your present. Stay hungry to improve.
“Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” Thomas A. Edison
Passion is optimistic discontent.
Push limits before setting limits.
Over-commitment is inevitable for aspirational leaders.
“…only those who will wish to go too far can possibly find out just how far one can go.” T.S. Eliot
Manage excess; don’t avoid it.
Over-commitment is a gift. Expect it. Use it. Don’t beat yourself down because of it.
Problems persist because we prefer comforting stories over painful realities.
Leaders tell soothing stories that prolong problems.
“I care more than others,” excuses micromanagement.
“I have high standards,” hides a critical spirit.
The best thing you can do with thorny issues is dig them out before they fester.
