60 minutes that could change the course of your 2014

This short, practical exercise will result in a one page blueprint for action in your 2014.

Firstly, spend about 30 minutes looking back on 2013, month by month. Make a list of your successes and disappointments, the positives and the negatives. Next, identify the four or five most important areas of your life eg health, family, spirituality, finances, personal growth, social life, career etc. Rate your 2013 performance in each area, noting highlights and low lights. Combine the two lists to get a complete picture. How does it feel looking back over the last 12 months? Circle the top three issues - they are your areas of focus for 2014.

The second part of the exercise requires you to project your thinking to 31 December 2014. Where do you want to be in each area by the end of the year? Take a fresh piece of paper and put the three headings (your areas of focus). Under each list a brief statement representing where you want to be in 12 months. List some dot points of actions you need to take to get you there.

One of the keys to this exercise is to keep it simple. On one page you should now have a map to guide you throughout 2014. Make it your best year ever.

Bonus tip: Share your plan with someone you care about and respect. This will increase your commitment to and accountability for your goals.

Cheers

Greg

three things we can learn from mandela

It is impossible to not acknowledge the passing of Nelson Mandela. He will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of all time. Here are just three things that all of us can learn from his life.

1. Have a vision. Mandela's was clear. To unite his country, to free its people from oppression, to establish equality for South Africa. What's your vision? What is driving you? What is the change you want to see in your world? It doesn't have to be as big picture as Mandela, but it does have to be something.
 
2. Gain strength through compassion.  There were times when Mandela could have used his power and influence to get square with his opponents, to seek revenge for the wrongs he endured. But instead there were many times where he chose not to. He rose above and took the higher road. His position was strengthened by the compassion he showed. Surely we can also do this?
 
3. Be resilient. How he stayed focused on his vision and wasn't consumed with wanting revenge after being locked up for 27 years astounds me! He didn't succumb to the magnitude of the challenge of uniting South Africa. He didn't give up when things got tough. Surely, when we get knocked down, we can get up again?

Cheers

Commit to change now and hit 2014 running

Commitments made at 11.57 pm on 31 December fuelled by a couple of glasses of bubbles rarely stick. Here are three things you can do now to make sure you can hit the new year running.

1. Start with you. Have a good hard look in the mirror. Where do you need to improve as a leader? Tip: Go towww.licencetolead.com.au/core-philosophy for details on a proven leadership model – rate yourself on each aspect. Get to work on the most important area for you.
 
2. Get your guys together to talk about where you are at now and where you want to be. Something as simple as a SWOT analysis can help with this. Then identify the most important actions and commit to change. Tip: Go to www.licencetolead.com.au/free-downloads to access a free Leadership SWOT Analysis Worksheet.
 
3. Get some help. If you knew what to do, you probably would have done it. It’s why personal trainers work. Sometimes you need someone external to hold you accountable. Tip: Go towww.licencetolead.com.au/bootcamp to find out more about our online leadership development program. It’s a great way to kick start your leadership journey. Check out the info on our mentoring program (to the right). This could be just the thing to make sure 2014 is the best year ever for you.

Cheers

Greg

The No. 1 tip for leaders

'Untrustworthy' is just about the worst label you can have if you are someone who aspires to lead others. If others think they can't trust you, they will be reluctant to develop a relationship with you, which then means they are unlikely to follow you.

The best way to earn trust? Simply do what you say you will do. Anything other than delivering on your promises will lead to you getting a reputation for being unreliable, which means that people won't be keen to trust you.

If you aren't 100% certain you can deliver on a commitment, you are better off not making it. If you let people down, particularly if it's more than once, you will get labelled.

Make sure every time you say you will do something, you follow through and do it. It sounds too simple, but it makes a big difference.

Cheers

Greg

how authentic are you? take the test

We've developed a simple test of authenticity.

There are 12 statements. You need to give each one a score depending on how often your behaviour matches with the statement. The possible responses are 1 - always, 2 – mostly, 3 – in between, 4 – sometimes, 5 – never. When you have scored each one, add your score up to see how you fared.

1.    I tell the truth.
2.    I am clear about my values.
3.    I have difficult conversations without delay.
4.    I am consistent in my dealings with people.
5.    I lead by example.
6.    There is alignment between what I say and what I do.
7.    When I know I need to act, I act without delay.
8.    I do what I say I am going to do.
9.    I can be trusted.
10.  I know myself.
11.  I am the same on the inside as I appear on the outside.
12.  I say what I mean and mean what I say.
 
A total score of 12-24 means that you have replied either always or mostly to all 12. This would indicate a high level of authenticity – well done, keep it up.
 
A score of 25–36 indicates that you are going well, but there is room for improvement. Don’t get complacent.
 
If you scored between 36 and 48 it means that you have plenty of work to do.
 
Scoring more than 48 indicates an urgent need for action to improve your authentic behaviour. Your lack of authenticity is most probably holding you back in your leading.

The good news is that there is plenty that you can do to improve. If this is what you want, simply look back at the statements in theauthenticity audit and identify what you scored highest on.  Go to work on those areas.

Cheers

Greg