Apologies for the late delivery of last week's Action Tips...

 

As a leader, you likely know how to lead your business and those around you. But how are you doing in terms of your personal leadership?  Personal leadership is the ability to define a direction for your leadership and life, and to move in that direction with consistency and clarity.
 
When you practice personal leadership, you "lead from the inside out. " The process involves asking yourself, "How do I need to be, act and think in order to be my best?" To do that, you must periodically turn away from the concerns of the day - the people, the problems and the pressure - to explore and discover your inner edge.
 
To practice personal leadership, you apply the principles of leadership that make businesses a success ... to yourself. For example, leading in business involves having a compelling vision, developing strategies and inspiring people to use their talents to meet a goal for improved business results. Leading yourself means applying these same principles of leadership to your role as a leader and your life. You, too, need a compelling vision and a strategy for reaching it. You need a team supporting you. You need results, as well as a sense of contribution and purpose. The difference is that personal leadership doesn't just make for better business; it makes for better leadership. It makes for a better you.
 
When you practice personal leadership, you use every ounce of your potential with inspiration instead of perspiration, synergy instead of sacrifice, and wisdom instead of work. Personal leadership is so important, in fact, that renowned management expert Peter Drucker once called it "the only leadership that's going to matter in the 21st century."
 
So now the key question is, "Are you succeeding in leading yourself?" Take the Spotlight quiz to find out.
 
The bottom line is that as a leader, you must learn to lead yourself to stay effective. And just as the way you lead helps shape your life, the life you live will help you lead. So when you become a better leader, you also lead a better life. Ultimately, personal leadership offers you the chance to create true prosperity - the kind of happiness that comes not just from financial gain, but also from the richness of life. Part of your daily visualisation ritual should include your leadership affirmations.
Remember, the stronger you get in personal leadership, the stronger you get in your business.