Monday, February 28, 2011

Grow or Die: 3 Reasons Growing Is The Better Choice

By accepting your leadership position, you've indicated you WANT to do this job. That's right.  You signed up for this.  You applied, interviewed, and understood the role (Please don't use the excuse you didn't know what you were getting yourself into.  If that's true, it's your fault, not the company's.)  You wanted this job, and now you have it.

No More Status Quo


Tradition DemotivatorThere is a fallacy in the world of work that the status quo is still a viable option.  If you believe in the status quo, it's time to call it a career.  The status quo = death.  At least your professional death.  How many leaders over the years have inspired people to do great things with their "cling to the status quo visionary style?"  Exactly zero, that's how many.


So you [read here -> WE] need to keep growing, learning, and doing.  It is truly the only option.  But how does one grow?  Easier said than done, right?


Protection - Step 1


Growth means protection.  Push yourself to make progress.  You won't be a sitting duck, an easy target, or find yourself being outpaced by someone else.  You will be in charge of you.  That's big.  But that protection only comes when you force yourself to get things done.


Exhilaration - Step 2


Growth means exhilaration.  Explore the world around you.  Reach out to your colleagues and ask questions.  This is not a sign of weakness; in fact, it's quite the opposite.  Only those strong enough on the inside, have the courage to ask for help on the outside (and gain the respect of those around them.)  You will feel energized about your work, but you have to take the first step.  No one is thinking about helping you...you need to make that happen.


The Work - Step 3


Growth is our work.  The perception that somehow growing professionally is an obstruction to our regular duties is simply absurd.  Working harder is not the solution for a challenging day, or week, or role.  Having too many "irons in the fire" will not result in better performance.  Growing professionally means you have successfully integrated this "grow" philosophy into how you do your work.  That is performance at a high level. 


What Are You (We) Waiting For?


How much more impactful will you be this week when you decide to grow in your approach to leadership?  Tap into the resources around you, take risks, succeed, and fail.  Allow your staff to see you trying new things.  You will build trust as a team, and guess what?  You'll grow.  Better yet, you won't die from trying.  Let me know what you decide.


I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.






pic courtesy of Despair

4 comments:

  1. Great reminder to start the week Jay !! Movement and action in leadership are the only ways to show that you mean business. I know you are a "growth" person and I hope your post sees many others grow this week and into the future !! Thanks for this

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  2. Thanks Steve. I need to practice what I preach, so this week is "action week" for me. Thanks for the comment!

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  3. I knew of a comapny once who had the motto for an entire year of...Innovate or Die! I thought that it was actually a cool invitation to try something new and different. First time to your site. I am enjoying what you have to say!

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  4. Love that motto! Thanks for stopping by Kimberly, and for your kind words.

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