Leading feelings begins with setting intentions. How will people feel after their one-on-one with you? Focus on two areas. How will they feel about themselves and their work?
You can’t make people feel something.
Leading feelings require influence, not coercion.
It’s easier to fail casually than to give your best and fall short. Only the humble learn from responsible failure.
Those who hide failure fail again. Those who never fail reach too low.
The sooner you address what isn’t working, the sooner trajectory changes.
How to fail like a pro…
Leaders don’t change people – people change themselves. You can influence transformation. You can encourage it. You can’t force it.
Self-discovery is growth. Listen to people’s stories if you want to inspire growth. People see themselves in their stories.
MORE…
Years ago, we had a miniature dachshund. He howled when we howled at him. We still howl occasionally in remembrance of him. It makes us laugh.
One day, when Spunkie was with us, I realized we seemed more excited to see him than each other.
Treat people like dogs.
Most people aren’t as interesting as they think.
There are three reasons leaders are boring communicators. They are infatuated with their own ideas. They are explaining how to do someone’s job. Or they are trying to prove their competence. In the most toxic cases, all three are true.
You don’t have to be charismatic, just less dull.
The problem with happiness is sadness demands attention.
When you’re unhappy you know it. You tell your friends. You complain at work.
You barely notice when you’re happy. No one phones a friend to say, “You got a minute. I’m happy and I want to talk it over with you.”
