July 2005 Newsletter

“Self-leadership is having a developed sense of who you are, what you can do, where you are going coupled with the ability to manage your communication and emotions on the way to getting there.”- Bryant

Self-leadership impacts your life, your health, your career and your relationships.

In addition it is important that Self-leadership comes before leading others, as nobody will willingly follow a leader who has no idea who he or she is or where they are going and/or throws a tantrum when they don’t get what they want.

The above diagram can serve as simple illustration of the points of leverage for developing our self leadership. Intention precedes any behaviour (action). Actions have effects which we evaluate via feedback. A difference between the expected outcome (intention) and the feedback causes us to feel emotions. The meanings we make of these emotions can reinforce, reduce or distort our intentions.

To make sense of this in your own life, consider something you are trying to achieve right now such as getting healthy, increasing your wealth or developing a relationship.

Start with translating your intentions into appropriate actions.

• What is it you want to achieve?
• What actions do you need to take to achieve this?

Once action has been taken it is necessary to be receptive to the feedback that the world will give in response to your action/s. The quality of the feedback is essential – the sooner you receive it, the sooner you can make adjustments. Beware your conditioned filters that might cause you to interpret feedback as criticism or to be selective about what you take notice of.

• What are the results of your actions?
• Is this feedback accurate?
• Am I filtering the feedback?

The feedback we receive causes us sensations/emotions from which we make meaning.

• What am I feeling?
• What does this mean?
• What else could this mean?

By asking these coaching questions you pave the way for a rapid feedback loop that will enable you to make the adjustments required in your communication/behaviour to achieve your outcome. If problems arise start first by checking your intention, then your behaviour, the feedback and your emotions.

For more information about developing your self leadership, communication and emotional intelligence consider one of our upcoming public courses or contact us about our coaching and corporate training programs.

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