An Inside Job

When you think of leadership, what comes to mind? Influential world leaders? Business executives? Community leaders? When I think of leadership, I often think of influence exercised by one or more persons over others, generally in a positive way. Of late, as I think about leadership, I don't think about a famous person or persons who have had an impact. I tend to think about each individual I meet. I think about 'self-leadership'.

My friend Ed went through the process of giving up an addictive substance - alcohol, something that was beginning to cause problems in his life. As I observed Ed go through this process, I realized how much self-leadership was involved in staying true to the course of living a sober life. Ed had to set goals, reflect on what was really of meaning to his life and manage cues/triggers. Fortunately, many of us don't have things like alcohol abuse to deal with. For you it may be as simple as getting to the gym three times a week or not choosing the high-fat entrée when eating out.

Leadership is not just an outward process; it is at its very core, an inside job. Our potential as individuals doesn't come from others influencing us, but actually it comes from within each of us. In their book "Mastering Self Leadership", Christopher Neck and Charles Manz, define self-leadership as 'the process of influencing oneself". Self-leadership helps us establish the self-direction and self-motivation needed to perform.

There are a variety of elements that can be considered skills of self-leadership. Some we learned early in life. Others, we may still be learning. Neck and Manz write that self-observation, goal setting, management of cues, and self-rewards/punishment are all self-leadership techniques. We also utilize mental techniques such as self-talk, beliefs and assumptions, mental imagery and thought patterns in self-leadership.

In a worksite health promotion programs, we help develop and enhance self-leadership skills. When a health coach has a conversation to help an employee focus on self-awareness, set goals or practice tackling behavior changes such as the triggers that a luncheon buffet creates, they are helping them with self-leadership skills. When we offer a 'Maintain, Don't Gain' program to create awareness about weight management during the holiday season, we help employees develop self-awareness skills.

My friend Ed has been sober for several years now. I learned a lot from him in this process. I learned that leadership really is an inside job.

Mari Ryan, MBA, MHP, CWWPC