Bob Burg, famous business leadership author, has a great quote that is one of my favorites. 'Competence matters, but character matters more.' Another way I like to re-frame that is 'how good you are is really important, it's just how good a person you are is even more important'. It is in these quotes that the core idea of IDEALIZED INFLUENCE is found.
CHECK OUT PART 1 AND PART 2 OF THIS 5 PART SERIES.
Leaders cannot expect behaviors out of those they are leading that they themselves are not demonstrating. 'Do as I say, not as I do' has never been a good leadership method, but it did work in a day and age when leaders where viewed as the gatekeepers of important information. The internet has vaporized that day and age and it's probably a good thing. Leaders are now under microscopes and the most effective way to thrive under that type of scrutiny is to be the epitome of what you want your followers to be. In essence, be great a leading yourself and you will be the ideal version of the influence you are seeking to exert.
My pastor, Dr. Jimmy Scroggins, who is an incredibly dynamic and authentic leader, recently gave out a great list of questions that I think can really help a leader discern if they are leading themselves well...
Do you seek to serve and support those that you are responsible to influence?
Are you disciplined in areas of your life that are a-typical to the culture? (finances, fitness, purity, nutrition, etc)
Do you respond to stress by attacking others or bringing them together?
Are you quick to recognize when you are wrong and ask for forgiveness?
Do you offer forgiveness easily and move on?
Do you have life-long learner habits? (books, podcasts, professional development efforts, etc)
As you consider what idealized influence looks like for yourself, I'll leave you with a simple quote that's credited to Ghandi, 'be the change you want to see.'
BLOG BIO
CHECK OUT PART 1 AND PART 2 OF THIS 5 PART SERIES.
Leaders cannot expect behaviors out of those they are leading that they themselves are not demonstrating. 'Do as I say, not as I do' has never been a good leadership method, but it did work in a day and age when leaders where viewed as the gatekeepers of important information. The internet has vaporized that day and age and it's probably a good thing. Leaders are now under microscopes and the most effective way to thrive under that type of scrutiny is to be the epitome of what you want your followers to be. In essence, be great a leading yourself and you will be the ideal version of the influence you are seeking to exert.
My pastor, Dr. Jimmy Scroggins, who is an incredibly dynamic and authentic leader, recently gave out a great list of questions that I think can really help a leader discern if they are leading themselves well...
Do you seek to serve and support those that you are responsible to influence?
Are you disciplined in areas of your life that are a-typical to the culture? (finances, fitness, purity, nutrition, etc)
Do you respond to stress by attacking others or bringing them together?
Are you quick to recognize when you are wrong and ask for forgiveness?
Do you offer forgiveness easily and move on?
Do you have life-long learner habits? (books, podcasts, professional development efforts, etc)
As you consider what idealized influence looks like for yourself, I'll leave you with a simple quote that's credited to Ghandi, 'be the change you want to see.'
BLOG BIO
‘Bite Down and Don’t Let Go’ is a collection of writings on being intentional about life in a way that produces great persistence. Read about it more here.
Dr. Chris Hobbs is an educational leader and Director of Athletics at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. He’s earned a few degrees and won some awards. He’s happily married to his high school sweetheart and they have three teen age children. Life is messy and complicated most of the time. You can follow him on Twitter for all sorts of inspirational thoughts and good laughs.
Thank you, Dr. Hobbs. Honored by your kind quote from John David Mann's and my book! And I greatly enjoyed reading your wisdom and that of Pastor, Dr. Scroggins!
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