Leading Strategies LLC, premier management consulting in leadership and systems

Excerpted from a letter by Mike Friesen

Thank you for letting me visit with you recently as it was great to see leadership students working to understand new theories. Toward the end of the day, Samantha asked a question that is continuing to rattle around in my head. The question went something like this: “Compared to others, how are we doing in learning leadership concepts?” While I did my best to answer, I also realized later I missed an important diagnosis moment and so will try to fill in a bit here.

“How am I doing?” This is an on-going and key question asked by any serious leadership student. In some ways, learning leadership is more about questions than answers. This is not to get out of being decisive but the very nature of discovering and examining paradigms results in continuing dialogue with many questions.

In a number of ways, measuring leadership progress is different than measuring management skills. For example, when asking “how am I doing,” an appropriate response might be, “how do you think you are doing?” or “where are you intending to go?” How do you feel in your conscience? Are you committed or just playing?

In many cases, the instructor is less qualified to tell you how you are doing and more qualified to help facilitate you as you discover your particular and unique journey. Often this is accomplished by individual coaching from a trusted individual. My experience was to spend a handful of hours each week talking with a wise leadership coach as he challenged my mindsets and asked hard questions. It was worth every minute!

One author says something to the effect of, “start somewhere and go anywhere.” Many beginning personal development students are overwhelmed with the vastness of the available real estate. Do not let this be daunting. Enjoy the journey and go where your heart takes you.

Want to know more about mission and vision? Press on. Need more clarity to the role and linkage of principles? Start turning over rocks. Have a desire to build or rebuild some lasting relationships through trust? You are at the right place. Searching for help in navigating change? Jump in! The opportunities are endless and the authors are many. As long as you stay aligned with principle, the leadership world is yours for the exploring.

Wishing you all the best in your respective leadership journeys.

E-mail contact: LSInfo@LeadingStrategies.net