"What you see and what you hear,
Depends a great deal on where you are standing.
It also depends on what sort of person you are."
~ C. S. Lewis The Magician's Nephew
Lewis could have easily added this third truism: "And the person you are depends largely on your Attitude." That's what Ted, a fellow sojourner, talked about in our April issue (read here). A vociferous senior executive living in 'Reaction', Ted was shocked when he was fired. Alternately angry and irresolute for months, he was finally able to move away from Reaction when a limiting belief was derailed; sink his roots into 'Response', and grow the wise and powerful Attitude of a changed man.
After we ran the article, we were encouraged to provide more information about his former Attitude, and the steps he took to alter it. Therefore, in the interests of continuity, we have decided to do that in this, our May 2013 issue, leaving those promised dig and delve questions about your Attitude(s) for our June issue.
In the meantime however, I am pleased to offer you a group of questions I've distilled over the years that prompt the kinds of Attitudes fundamental to my own brand of leadership. They have been immensely helpful, especially when heading-up projects, delegating, or dealing with difficulties and mistakes. And while I'm not sure my team would walk over hot coals if I asked them to, I do know if I keep the questions front and centre, I can hold onto the notion they might.
Leadership Attitudes
Openness
Am I working inclusively?
Am I seeking input?
Am I being truly receptive to others?
Am I giving imaginative, off-the-wall ideas their due?
Stepping Aside
Am I showing others how to tether and harness ideas?
Am I helping them build a solid conveyance that holds goals, plans, progress charts and milestones?
Am I putting the reins in their hands; moving aside; letting them drive?
Am I leading by following?
Trust
Am I holding a mistake against someone?
Do I really trust the necessity of making mistakes?
Am I encouraging the mistake-maker to pick up the reins again?
Am I trusting, and therefore turning my attention to other matters that require direction?