Pre-workout supplements are an evolution of the fitness industry that are popular in the last decade. Full disclosure: I do not believe any of the pre-workout supplements are FDA approved so their effects and benefits are questionable at best.
But...
I used all sorts of pre-workout supplements throughout my 30s. Additional disclaimer: They are not illegal and they are not steroids so relax. Here's what they are mostly - large doses of caffeine and beta alanine. We all know the effects of caffeine on jump starting us. I don't know much about beta alanine other than the fact that it made my skin feel itchy for a few minutes. The result of these pre-workouts for me whether psychological or physical was I WAS READY TO GO! Placebo effect or not, taking pre-workout was like a slingshot into my workout.
Wouldn't it be great if there was a pre-workout supplement for leaders as they take on new leadership positions?
Well, I think there is. It costs no money, has no un-researched side effects, and can be accessed by every leader. All a leader has to do is understand how to honor the past. I have had formative leadership experiences honoring the past and working closely with a few iconic figures at three different schools. These iconic individuals had a large hand in forming the places into what they were decades before my arrival. Part of the formative leadership experience was tremendous support from these iconic figures for my vision for the future. My natural curiosity about organizations and love for being around people positioned me to honor the past and facilitated a fast-track to influence and leadership that was unexpected. I believe that what I experienced can be experienced by any leader.
'You cannot change them until they feel you are one of them.' I share this idea with leaders that are either accepting their first leadership position or are accepting a leadership role at a new organization. It is based on my experience taking over and leading in place of larger-than-life people at three schools. It is a simple concept but one that too many leaders trample on as they speed off in attempts to lead their new teams, departments, and organizations into the exciting future that they have envisioned. And when they trample over this idea they run off to that exciting new future and no one follows them. It is at that point that the leader is experiencing the ironic quote, 'If you are out front leading and no one is following then you are simply going on a walk.' Too often new, excited leaders isolate and polarize the people they are supposed to lead by making them feel like all of the time, effort, sacrifice, traditions, and relationships that exist at the current organization prior to leaders arrival are not as important as what lies ahead. If a leader makes people feel that way, like the history of the people and place do not matter, the leader will be taking a long, lonely walk.
Leadership is a complicated topic that has a simple result; people follow. If you are a leader that is taking on a new position or a leader taking on a new organization, and you want a great pre-workout supplement before you begin the workout of leading your people, you need to think through how you will honor the past. People want to know that their leader loves the people they love, respects the people they respect, and is fond of the traditions they are fond of. How does a leader who is not part of that history and does not yet have the relationships necessary honor the past so that they can lead into the future?
Here are a few suggestions that have worked for me...
How to honor the past so that you can become their leader into the future
Listen to the stories - Marshall Goldsmith in his book, 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There' suggests 80% of leadership success can be generated by listening to people. The problem is when a new leader arrives they want to tell people why they are so qualified, what they experienced that gives their opinions so much validity, and what the future holds for the group. As I often say to my children, 'KNOCK IT AWF' (my New Jersey accents shows back up when I'm fired up). As badly as the leader wants to tell people about themselves, the new community of people want to tell the leader about their history. Leaders should close their mouths, smile, and listen to the stories. All of the stories. The same stories told ten different times. The stories matter because the people matter. Listen to every story about the past and the people might start caring about your vision for the future.
Visit 'sacred locations' and ask questions about it - Each organization has 'sacred' locations. These are old buildings, spaces that have been renovated many different times, fields where facilities don't even exist, or locations where incredible things took place. To the people of that organization, the spaces feel sacred. Nostalgic ghosts wander those spaces. Leaders should ask people to take them to these sacred locations and the leader should ask every question they can think of while standing in those beloved physical spaces.
Pick up the tracking of and celebration of major milestones - If I were ranking my suggestions, this would be the first one. A leader that wants to assimilate themselves into the fabric of the history of an organization should pick up the tracking and celebration of the people that they are now leading. I believe that modern-day leaders need to be skilled a celebrating people. Recognizing a 20-year work anniversary, announcing team member birthdays, or facilitating career achievement celebrations are most meaningful when they come directly from the leader. I have had the opportunity to celebrate hall of fame inductions, iconic retirement parties, and achievements 30 years in the making. My sincere desire to celebrate iconic people has facilitated my ability to lead the people that love those long-time veterans.
Use their terms - 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me' is an oft-quoted rhyme that adults use to teach children not to take what is said personally. It is important for adults to teach young children this idea, but it is also garbage. Words matter. When a new leader arrives to their post they will hear all sorts of terms that make no sense and might even sound ridiculous. Do not try to change it. If you did not want to use their terms you should not have accepted the position to be the leader of their team. Use their terms if you want to be their leader and just maybe they will use your terms some day.
Ask patriarchs and matriarchs about their ideas for the future - If I were ranking my suggestions, I would rank this as the second most important suggestion. There are people at every organization that have a patriarchal / matriarchal influence. They may hold a position that formalizes such influence or they may not. It does not matter, they are a big deal. What they say, who they respect, and how they respond matters to everyone else. A leader that wants to establish a pre-workout type energy to their own influence will position themselves to ask these influential individuals, 'what do you think is next for us?' The conversation that unfolds, even if the ideas may be a off base, will provide important insights for the leader. It will also begin aligning these important individuals with the leader. It may be possible that they know exactly what should be next for the organization and the leader was smart enough to ask them.
Serve them well - A leader that wants to lead a healthy organization in a healthy way seeks to ways to serve others. Without this intent, all of my previous suggestions warp from authentic leadership to simple manipulation. A new leader that is looking to set themselves up for success must look for ways to serve people well. A servant-leader's efforts rarely return void if they serve others well. It is the purest way to honor the past and lead people into the future.
‘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.
"Really very happy to say, your post is very interesting to read. I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job. Keep it up. Best Pre Workout for Weight Loss
ReplyDelete"