First Quarter 2017- Issue 24
Note from Coach Mario- At the End of the Day- “Leaders Set the Example of Being Tough-minded”
In business, as in life, things rarely go 100% the way we plan. The key is not necessarily what happens, but the way one responds. The one constant other than death and taxes is change. Having a team that is able to take a punch and bounce back stronger builds sustenance. A critical leadership dimension is a Leader’s Competencies which includes building that strong team. This means creating a team who has the ability to be not only proactive, but a team who is also able to make adjustments on a course of action or recover from a set-back with stronger vengeance. Another critical leadership dimension is a Leader’s Balance. The Leader must take the lead emotionally, intellectually and if necessary, physically in setting the example for the rest of the team by first being able to take a punch and, secondly, bounce back stronger than ever.
I often work with leaders who, even after being successful, lack the toughmindedness to sustain their effectiveness. When I refer to the term tough-minded, I define it as the extent to which a person is emotionally independent, utilitarian, objective and unsentimental. It does not mean not having nurturance (which is having the ability to understand what it is like being in someone else’s shoes, having compassion towards that someone or showing that you value that someone). To guide one’s thoughts in becoming more tough-minded, here is a list of what a tough-minded leader typically does to sustain their mental toughness:
1. They keep the situation or condition and their emotions in proper context.
2. They cleanse their mind of unsubstantiated thoughts that drive false feelings.
3. They are less critical of themselves while at the same time they objectively evaluate the situation or condition, learn from it and make adjustments for the future.
4. They become empowered and take ownership.
5. They embrace change and go where there is no path and leave a trail.
6. They understand the moving parts they can influence and realize that besides death and taxes the only other thing in life that is certain is change.
7. They concern themselves with their key stakeholders, but do not allow themselves to be obsessed about them and “drain themselves dry with zapped energy.”
8. They are clear on the risk/reward undertakings, including the short and long term consequences.
9. They learn from the past and move on…in other words, they “let it go.”
10. They find wisdom in learning from their mistakes believing that wisdom in learning is a premium and they use that learning wisely.
11. They build others up and realize that they too will be built up–mostly from the inside out.
12. They remember that in sports, such as baseball, 10 At Bats that produce 3 Hits, relatively speaking, can get one into the Baseball Hall of Fame…that means failure occurs 7 times. The mark of success is not from one, two or three at bats, but from at bats over a period of time–perseverance is king–not cash! Cash will come when you have persevered!
13. They MUST spend time Reflecting…How else can they see the real “beauty of the rose” or have the time to THINK and really see what is before them!
14. They believe that nothing worthwhile is free.
15. They realize that Patience is a virtue–in today’s fast-paced world, driven by ever increasing speed of technology, more patience is required of leaders–“they manage for the quarter century not the quarter.”
When the leader begins thinking in terms described here, their toughmindedness will get stronger and stronger. The leader will begin to realize that their toughmindedness is stronger than their self critical, self-talk has been telling them and what they have been listening to. As the strong, Tough-minded Leader, you are enabled to set the example for the mental toughness of your team and you and your team will be better equipped to “weather the storms” which will come.
–Mario Flores
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