BECOMING YOUR BEST: PRINCIPLE 1 - 4

SHARED FROM THE BOOK:

BECOMING YOUR BEST

(THE 12 PRINCIPLES OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL LEADERS)

STEVEN R. SHALLENBERGER

McGraw Hill Education

260 pages

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE 1: BE TRUE TO CHARACTER

 

The greatest asset a person or an organization can have is the strength of character.  However, a strong character is nor easily acquired.  These bedrock principles includes:

Integrity

Honesty

Trustworthy

Perseverance

Humility

Compassion

Respect for others

Having a strong character creates a moral authority within us that gives the great power and credibility in our relationship, work and the world.  When we are true to our highest character, our actions reflects our beliefs and guide us through life, thus helping us to be our best.

 

3 WAYS TO STRENGTHEN CHARACTER

Be strong in the moment of choice

Strength of character is demonstrated especially when things get though.

Stand up and speak out

Have the courage to be true to character.

Guard your character

Polonius (in Shakespeare’s Hamlet) advises his son:

Keep your thought to yourself

Think before acting

Cherish your friends

Listen more than talking

Seek to understand, not judge

Neither borrow nor lend money

Be true to yourself

 

 

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation,

because your character is what you really are,

while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

- John Wooden, legendary UCLA Basketball Coach

 

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE 2: LEAD WITH A VISION

 

Visions propelled us to where we are today, and will determine our direction into the future.  A vision aims for a high level of achievement.  Goals or objectives are created after the vision is formed.

 

3 POWERFUL ASPECTS OF INSPIRING A GUIDING VISION

Attributes of a transformational vision

Sets a positive and meaningful direction with a purpose and a cause.

Carries a sense of urgency and mission.

Inspiring.

Clear, simple, and easy to remember.

Provides the desired direction, purpose, and inspiration in the absence of supervision.

Encourages the alignment of people and effort around the vision.

Makes team members feel encouraged and empowered.

Represent the heart and soul of an individual or group.

Embodies the values and personal needs for contributing to something bigger.

Generates passion and energy.

Developed through individual and shares leadership.

Long term and should be modified with care.

Unifies individual by giving them a common purpose.

Clearly communicated to all members through centers of influence.

Is lived, modeled, and taught over and over again by stakeholders and to one another.

Anchored in the individual or organization culture.

Create and evaluate personal and organizational vision

 

Transformational results

Clear united vision can break through barriers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE 3: MANAGE WITH A PLAN

 

The secrets of getting things done is to create a vision, than develop goals as part of a long range plan.  Plans allow us to manage our work and life.  Plans prepares us to:

Take control of life

Handle challenges

Reach full potential

Create order amid chaos

 

3 POWERFUL GAME CHANGERS IN LIFE

Set annual goals and develop plans to achieve them

The key is to take action.

The art is in the start.

 

Plan for the unexpected

Make contingency plans

Manage for results

 

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE 4: PRIORITIZE YOUR TIME

 

It’s about using time to do what matters most instead of doing whatever is at the top of your to-do-list.  The fact is that time and life can pass by all too quickly.

 

3 POWERFUL ACTIONS THAT HELP TO STAY FOCUS

Get priorities straight

Think high quality and high quantity.

 

Take control of life

Pre-week planning.

Protect and conserve time

Handle it ASAP.

Mange electronic communication.

Eliminate/minimize ineffective meetings:

Invite only those who need to be there

Have an objective and meaningful purpose

Start-on-time, be-on-time

Have clear agenda

Provide reports ahead of time

Make a record of issues and decisions

Invite participation

Create ‘parking lot’ for items that surface but are not appropriate for the current meeting

Prevent any single discussion from taking too much time

Close with review of any action items

End-on-time or early

Make a habit of taking weekly planner with you

Avoid negative, draining interactions

 

 

The most valuable assets are our time and talents.  Highly successful people:

Create a vision

Develop goals

Plan to accomplish goals

Focus on what matters most

 

….to be continued….