This week we kicked off another professional development series at Guilford Technical Community College and closed with introducing the power of an “I AM” statement. I learned about this from a colleague I worked with at the hospital. I was in her office one day visiting and stopped mid-sentence when I noticed it on her bulletin board. We met several months earlier, when she participated in a customized six session program developed for her department to improve teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills. I was thrilled with the progress she made in the sessions weekly to connect to people in a more positive way, grow her confidence to take risks and improve her communication and assertiveness. She said she wrote this “I AM” statement after the program to stay focused on where she wanted to see herself daily.
It’s amazing to me to see how much growth can be experienced when professionals are open to developing their self-leadership. Before we lead others, we have to lead ourselves. People often want to change those around them, when the first step is to change him/herself first. Here are some principles that leaders used to interact differently with their employees to develop not only their leadership, but their self-leadership. Which ones do you want to use to improve your (self) leadership and be a catalyst for positive change?
- Find common ground
- Use eye contact, smile and meet face to face
- Solicit employee ideas and make sure their opinion counts
- PATIENCE
- Active listening
- Lighten the mood
- Show willingness to help
- Treat others like you want to be treated by being honest and showing interest
- Recognize and support staff
- Give employees an opportunity to explain their opinions
Now, what kind of leader do you want to be? Ask yourself, “Who am I” and journal some ideas of what you want in place today. Write your “I AM” statement and post it in your office so you can see it every day. What you think about is what you bring about.
