Self-Awareness is a Lie

"No matter how unbiased we think we are, we may have subconscious negative opinions about people who are outside our own group. But the more we are exposed to other groups of people, the less likely we are to feel prejudice against them."
- Mind Tools

I'm in Leadership, I'm Not Biased
I hate to break it to you...but yes, yes you are, and we have our brains to blame for some of those biases. We are not able to process the millions of bits of information slamming into us every second of the day. 

So, our brains make quick judgments based on things that are familiar (skin color, accent, job, education, geography, etc.) to help move past the simple things and get us to the really important stuff. Except the little things are the important stuff.

Trying to convince ourselves otherwise is not only foolish, it is quite literally, impossible.

Attack Your Biases...With Humility
One of the inherent problems of leadership, and in particular as we rise through the corporate ranks, is that we rely on our our own opinions more and more. We become removed from the operations, and the work flow, and the team that understands how the work gets done in the trenches.

Our over inflated egos block our ability to see and hear what we need so desperately to lead effectively. If we are to guide our organizations forward, we must understand what is happening from every point of view.

The solution is pretty straightforward if you're a strong enough leader to handle it.

- Ask for input.
- Listen to what your trusted circle tells you.
- Do not get defensive.

How About You
Who is there for you? For me, it is my Personal Board of Directors. A team of leaders who don't know it, but are the ones I on rely for candid feedback when I'm sure "I know exactly what I'm doing."

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Repentless

I've had an amazing week. Now before you think this post is about rainbows and joy just slow down for a minute. Yes, my week had some really high points...but life isn't only about the good stuff. Right?

It turns out my eventful week had much more in store for me than I expected.

Live Fast

I attended two important events in nuclear-blast-hot Las Vegas this week: SHRM's Global CHRO Summit, and the SHRM National Conference. It was my second year at both events, and this year I had the privilege to be a member of the #shrm15blogger team.

I've been moving at a pretty fast pace for the last six months. My kick ass new job keeps me running. Hard.

Add to that pace my weekly travel schedule which sometimes has me trying to juggle a few too many things at once. That hit full force as I arrived in the desert.

Short story: lots of issues going on in my world...plus a long flight...and no hotel room when I finally (and I mean finally) got to the hotel.

In that moment I was ready to accept that I was getting a sign from above. I must be pushing too hard...moving too fast...trying to be everything for everyone all the time...and I probably needed to do a re-set.

Except I'm so competitive the thought of slowing down made me angry. So I strategized with the incredibly gracious team at the Encore Hotel...took a few deep breaths...figured it out...and got my game-face back on.

On High

The twenty-four hour CHRO session was terrific, capped off with a tour of the Zappos campus. Candidly, I'm not quite sure what to think about them....they have developed something very special at their company. I'll leave it at that for now.

Joining the big conference was also great. I attended some fantastic presentations (and live tweeted like a champ throughout). Here's the part that blew me away this week. Many of my friends were there and genuinely had an interest in how I was doing since I've made a series of big changes in my life.

I'm not talking about the casual 'hey, how's it going' banter. I mean a 'deep-I-care-about-you-as-my-friend' type of discussion.

And it happened again, and again, and again.

I'm not sure I even responded appropriately in those moments. The amount of support I felt...and continue to feel...is nothing short of incredible.

How About You

Coming in to this week I had a very short list of people I could share my 'stuff' with in an open and trusting way. They are absolutely amazing and know who they are.

Now, instead of feeling like I have done something wrong or tried to do too much; I know I have an all-star team beside me as I focus on taking my "live fast, on high" mindset to a whole new level.

Saying thank you seems to fall so far short of how I feel. But, thank you friends.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Bringer of Light

Who are you learning from? Who is the leader that you connect with the most as your mentor, guide, or example that you aspire to live up to? Please don't say that you don't need a mentor, or that you no longer need to learn. If that's truly how you feel I wish you nothing but the best (as your career spirals down the drain.)

My View

For me personally I am starving for more...whether it's insight into the RPO industry...getting to know my colleagues better...understanding how to best juggle a life that is literally split between three states...or figuring out the best way to push harder and faster than everyone is comfortable with me doing.

I hate feeling comfortable...that typically means leaders are talking big and running scared at the same time. Leaders who run scared are absolutely useless....don't you think?

Leading

I find it odd that the more senior leaders become, the more they convince themselves that they have it all figured out. 

Perhaps it's counter-intuitive, but as one's scope expands dramatically doesn't that mean the amount of learning necessary is exponentially higher?

Admitting that we need to learn is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it sends a signal to our teams that learning is what leaders do. Confidently learning is far different than having an a know-it-all swagger.

Are you with me?

How About You

So who are you learning from? Is it someone in your company...your CEO...a member of your team with specialized knowledge...or perhaps a member of your Personal Board of Directors?

Keep learning. When you do...your leadership will rise above the noise and make a real difference.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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My Personal Board of Directors

Until Charlie Judy wrote about having a personal board of directors several years ago I had never heard of the concept. Kudos to Charlie for being so far ahead. At the time I thought it was a fabulous idea, and in the 'old' Jay Kuhns style I moved on. No follow up....no call to Charlie to explore it further...no email shout out.

Nothing.

Not This Time

Recently I saw another piece about the value of a personal board of directors and I realized it was time to do something. I was actually embarrassed reading it knowing that I missed the opportunity to have my all star team in place several years ago.

Not this time. I'm on it.

Discovering My Team

What was fascinating as I started thinking about who would be on "my board" was that I already had the core team in place. They were actively 'working' for me. How did I figure it out? It was easy. I looked at who I was reaching out to for advice, support, encouragement, and feedback. That very small list was the first group to become board members.

Building My Team

The next step was a bit more intentional. I realized the small group of people that made up the  'founding members' was not large or diverse enough for me to get the comprehensive support I needed. I thought about who would help fill in the gaps in membership in order to maximize the impact of the team without making it too unwieldy to manage.

Several more names were added and suddenly my board was coming together. As my view of the world has evolved (I'm increasingly interested in marketing, branding and communications) I realized I had another slot or two that needed to be filled. That's okay...boards are supposed to be fluid. Plus, my board is functioning very well!

 

When Are The Meetings

There are a variety of ways to implement your personal board of directors. I'm choosing to keep my membership confidential, even from the other board members. (Although I'm sure some of you are well aware that you have been appointed!)

For me, it's not about putting pressure on my all star team to have to "do" or "be" or "act" in a new or special way. I need them to just be who they are...that's why I chose them in the first place!

How About You

I'm surprised at how empowering my board has been for me. I view them as real board members now in addition to being friends, colleagues, and confidants. It's energizing to work with them and hear their views. Candidly, it's liberating to have a team I trust enough that I can open up on just about every issue in my life.

Don't make the mistake I made when Charlie showed me the way and I didn't listen. Build your team, seek them out regularly and learn from them. They care about you, otherwise they never would have made it to such a prestigious position.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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