Successful people don’t have 7 habits. More like 70. Or 700.
The reason they’re successful is they have more good habits than bad.
Just as great athletes or musicians train for muscle memory, so too great leaders train for behaviour memory.
Almost all behaviour is habit based. Especially when stress and fatigue start.
Some people are gifted, fortunate enough to be born with body shape, muscular framework and coordination that gives them an advantage.
Many with the same advantages don’t leverage them. They don’t train. They don’t make it.
Discipline matters.
Most great performers start early in life so they’ve practiced a long time before hitting their physical peak. Late starters can catch up but it’s much harder.
Same with leadership. Some have a head start from psychology, personality, upbringing, culture.
Many with the same advantages don’t leverage them. They don’t train. They don’t become strong leaders.
Discipline matters.
Most great leaders start early in life. Maybe they’ve had leadership opportunities as a child or teenager or early in their career. Late starters can catch up but it’s much harder.
It starts with not taking your leadership style for granted. Think about what kind of leader you want to be. And what kind you don’t want to be.
Watch other leaders. Recall great leaders from your past. Maybe your childhood.
What are some things they did that were good? Can you do the same? Try it. Repeat. Practice. Make it a habit. That’s your leadership practice.
Not just style things, or personality. How they set targets, how they ran projects or organised meetings. Pick one.
How about some things that you don’t like?
Things to avoid.
These can be easier to see sometimes.
What are some things you do that are the same? Consciously stop doing it. Find an alternative. Repeat. Practice. Make it a habit.
That’s also leadership practice.
One new habit started. One old habit stopped.
Even better if they’re a pair.
Start talking to your team more. Stop interrupting so much.
Start a priority list. Stop changing priorities every week.
Just one pair is a great start.
“…great leaders train for behaviour memory…”
Do you see any good habits in strong leaders you know?
Are they a habit you have too?
How about something bad you see? Maybe in the same leader.
Is that a habit you have too?
Can you find a pair?
Something to start and something to stop?
Try them.
Don’t wait. Start today.
Make them habits.
If you have a coach or mentor they can help identify what habits you need to work on.
Coach or none, start yourself.
It’s your life.
What are you Practicing?
.
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“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”