Success is a by-product for the individual who has incorporated the Triple A's into his/her behavior. Awareness, Authenticity and Appreciation are mere words, but incorporating them into our lives can have a profound impact on way we conduct ourselves and the way we approach our life and business challenges. Each of these qualities are also key EQ (emotional quotient) skills that are so important in the development of successful leaders.
To be AWARE
Awareness, or the lack of awareness, impedes our ability to fully address the issues and challenges facing us. We often believe that we have individually surfaced all the issues involved in making a decision. Those who believe in their own prowess of being "aware" are often blind-sided by another perspective or viewpoint that should have been considered. Awareness exists both looking inwardly - being self-aware; and looking outwardly - being socially aware of others.
It is the recognition that being "aware" can afford us the ability to successfully address the business challenges facing us. It is important to catch ourselves particularly when feeling overly confident, or in a highly stressful situation to reflect on whether we have truly uncovered and answered all the questions. Are we truly aware? What else have we missed? Incorporating a strategy to answer these questions can uncover and realize an approach to greater awareness. The result: better decision making and greater success in achieving/ resolving the business challenges facing each of us.
To be AUTHENTIC
Authenticity is both external and internal in its impact. Implied in being authentic is truthfulness and honesty, to oneself and to those with whom we are dealing with. From an internal perspective, being authentic comes from knowing yourself. Being aware (as noted above) of one's strengths and weaknesses; and also of the core values that are the motivators and basis for intentions. This knowledge of oneself manifests itself in confidence in making the choices set before each of us.
Being authentic with others is about truthfulness of not only saying what one is going to do but also of carrying through and delivering on the promise. Successful relationships with fellow co-workers, work teams, vendor and client relationships are all driven by being authentic and truthful. However, being authentic in these relationships is not absolute. There are times when following one's own core values directly conflicts with the core values of the other party. Does that mean one is being inauthentic if one shifts position on a decision? How does one reach resolution and still be authentic?
Nothing in business, or in life, is black and white. Being authentic is a process. Core values are guideposts that must be evaluated in light of the unique circumstances and situations that we find ourselves. Reaching to our value system is just one aspect of decision-making. Being effective however, requires that one is committed to the overall objectives of a given situation or business challenge. It is in defining those objectives where being authentic will play itself out; and where being authentic leads to success.
To be APPRECIATIVE
Appreciation is the third of the triple A's. Our experiences at any given point in time are the result of a myriad of circumstances and relationships that sequentially occurred to allow that unique experience to happen. It is in that moment that we need to remember, reflect and express thanks to everyone and everything that allowed that moment to happen. This sense of gratitude can unlock enormous new ways of seeing the world around us; in how we interact with those around us; in how we view things: half-empty, or half-full; in how we frame our view of the future. It generated a sense of humility that transcends position and together with Authenticity forms the basis for great leadership.