Achieved Strategies

­­­­

How do you remind yourself of what’s really important?

Really.  This isn’t a rhetorical question.  Each day you encounter many distractions to throw your gaze off of what’s important.  And I’m not talking about important things like meeting a deadline, crossing items of your to-do list, or making your sales numbers.  I’m talking about important at a deeper level: a soul moving, passion-driven level of importance.

It’s no secret that on this blog I explore many topics related to leadership and change.  And passion and change are like star-crossed lovers. (Okay, maybe a bit too dramatic.) But the two are a powerhouse combo.

But I digress a little.

As a leader of change, I must be very clear what my Work is about.  My Work is about helping leaders inspire change.  Now, I use a host of methods and models to do this.  That, though, is not the focus of this blog.

The focus is how to get myself centered when I lose sight of what’s important.  I turn to two phrases that remind me of what my purpose is in my work as a leader of change.

“Who am I being that allows others around me to know how great they are?”

I learned of this quote from a teacher.  This quote reminds me that when I’m with clients and I show up grateful and patient, my client can more easily work towards a successful solution.   If I show up distracted or judgmental, my interaction with my client is awkward and argumentative.

Sound too easy? Are you skeptical? Try it.  You shift the focus of how you’re feeling to what the other person needs from you.

People want to be recognized. People want to be included.

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

If you’re a Covey fan you know this quote. When I get distracted with anger, I use this quote to help me plan how to resolve the issue.

I meet with the person and acknowledge the tension.  I then ask the person to help me understand their perspective.

A golden rule in human dynamics – people want to be heard!

When you listen to a person defenses come down.  Openness to conversation increases.  It opens the door for you to explain your perspective.  It makes resolving the difference much easier.

What do you do to remind yourself of what’s important? Please share below.