{"id":70,"date":"2012-05-25T11:35:32","date_gmt":"2012-05-25T19:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encouragement.com\/blog\/?p=70"},"modified":"2012-05-25T11:35:32","modified_gmt":"2012-05-25T19:35:32","slug":"high-point-5-self-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=70","title":{"rendered":"High Point #5 \u2013 Self-Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m reminded today of the old saying that \u201ca self-made man is the product of unskilled labor.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that I mind, let me say that self-development is essential to your growth as a leader. In fact, it was the fifth most mentioned topic in the High Points Survey on Leadership.* Managers have a lot of questions about what they can do to improve themselves. They understand their organizations are not going to fully develop them as leaders \u2026 so what should they do?<\/p>\n

Yes, that means you will have to take charge of your own growth. But, strange as it seems, self-development doesn\u2019t mean you can do it by yourself. You need others to:<\/p>\n

1. Poke you in the \u201cI\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

An article was recently shared with me that pointed out in relationships a person with a continual need to use the word \u201cI\u201d saw himself \/ herself as inferior to the other.<\/p>\n

That makes sense when you think about it. We may consider some people annoyingly self-centered, or narcissists, which is bothersome enough, but the real truth is, down deep, they may question their own value, and be desperately seeking validation.<\/p>\n

We need others to accept and value us, and at the same time keep our egos in check. They can provide objectivity, and balance to our extremes.<\/p>\n

Whenever we over-promote ourselves (or get frustrated that others don\u2019t recognize all the things we contribute), we get the opposite effect \u2013 we are seen as a weak leader.<\/p>\n

Humility is strength. Go figure.<\/p>\n

2. Help you see your strengths<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Pareto Principle (the 80\/20 rule) explains the unequal distribution of returns (i.e. 20% of what we do produces 80% of what we accomplish).<\/p>\n

Your strengths are the 20% that makes \u201cyou\u201d happen. But do you even know what your strengths are?<\/p>\n

Coaches, mentors, and friends contribute to our understanding of ourselves, by giving us the unbiased feedback we need to make changes to our behaviors, attitudes, and demeanor. They can help us improve our confidence, our focus, and the impact our interactions have on others \u2013 by leveraging our strengths. Now, if we\u2019ll just do it.<\/p>\n

Ask for their insights.<\/p>\n

3. Remove your self-limiting image of yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over time, you may have adopted a whole range of self-limiting beliefs. Difficulties, frustrations, and obstacles may have caused you to view your circumstances, as fixed, and unchangeable \u2013 creating a distorted view of your destiny. Your dreams faded, and you forgot what you always wanted to be.<\/p>\n

The encouragement of others can help you renew your belief in yourself, and see your future differently. Bosses need encouragement as much as they need to offer it to others.<\/p>\n

Find someone who encourages you.<\/p>\n

4. The more people you get involved, the more progress you make<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this article, I\u2019ve used \u201cyou, me, us, we, they, them, ourselves, I \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

It just means we need to get a lot of people involved, and it applies to everyone. The most skilled athletes have the greatest number of coaches.<\/p>\n

Listening only to yourself is a poor substitute for the richness of experiences, ideas, and new ways of thinking you can obtain from the input of others. Enlist their support. Explain that you would like to grow as a leader. And accept the fact that their help will help you develop yourself.<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Jerry Strom<\/p>\n

For more information about our leadership development programs, please visit http:\/\/www.JerryStrom.com<\/a> . Join the mailing list to receive notice of new articles automatically.<\/p>\n

This article is based on *\u2018The High Points Survey: What Managers Most Want to Know about Leadership,\u2019 copyright 2012, by Jerry Strom & Company, Inc. Download the White Paper at: http:\/\/www.jerrystrom.com\/js_high-points.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m reminded today of the old saying that \u201ca self-made man is the product of unskilled labor.\u201d With that I mind, let me say that self-development is essential to your growth as a leader. 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