What is it that truly makes us good at what we do? There are many different qualities that we can point to: intelligence, experience, ambition, flexibility, and the mountain of intangibles that we might use to describe talent. But even among those who have those talents, what is it that genuinely sets someone apart? How do we identify it in others—and how do we find it in ourselves?
When it comes to leadership, there is a specific quality that most of us are able to recognize but few of us point to when deciphering what it means to be a leader. As someone who spent many years as a career consultant and talent evaluator, it’s something that I always looked for and required to be a part of an individual’s makeup before I would ever recommend them for a position at any level of leadership.
Humility is that character strength. It is an attitude of modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger scheme of things, allowing us to accurately acknowledge the gaps in our knowledge, skills, capabilities, and experience. It gives us the fortitude to recognize our potential. It builds character and defines leadership. We can’t add to a glass that is already perceived as full. Regardless of the confidence we have in our talents and abilities, humility is necessary to balance our attributes and address our areas of opportunity.
Game Changer
In sports, we often hear coaches talk about the ability of an athlete to “slow the game down.” As the athlete becomes more proficient at all the different skills, scenarios, and decisions that are part of the game, they are better able to process information, filter out what is most important, and focus where it counts. But when joining a new team or taking on a new role, everything seems to be moving at a faster pace. It can be a lot to manage without the knowledge and experience to do things well—or the humility to learn how. There may be a lot of reasons, but for many this is why they struggle early on and why others, regardless of their talent and potential, never make it.
This can be true for all of us. Regardless of our perceived talents and abilities, our past experiences and successes, we must have the humility to accept the need to continuously grow and develop. This is how we manage the pace of the game. By increasing our awareness and building our base of information we improve our ability to lead—allowing us to better react to what’s happening in the moment while getting ahead of what’s coming next.
Become a Student of the Game
What are some simple steps we can take to change the pace of the game? Here are a few tips to help make that happen:
The past is something we learn from, not live in. Old habits, ideas, and routines don’t necessarily work when taking on new roles and responsibilities. In a constantly changing world, looking back should only be seen as a way to move forward.
Don’t be afraid of failure. We all want to perform well but also learn from our mistakes. If you’ve never failed, chances are you’re not as successful as you could be.
Don’t be afraid of success. Recognize your strengths and limitations, set realistic but achievable goals, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.
Look for ways to apply new information to what you do every day. This helps spark innovative ideas and opens doors to fresh opportunities.
Your title doesn’t make you a leader—your people do. Be a servant leader. Trust your team and give them the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed on their own merits.
See the big picture, but focus on individual steps. It’s important to move toward the future, but we all live in the journey.
Working smart is just as important as working hard. We all understand that we need to work hard to achieve our goals, but working hard isn’t enough. It takes patience and planning to find the best path.
Often, what we need the most are reminders—not revelations. As we mature as leaders, we understand that the more we learn, the more we realize we don’t know. Embrace your limitations and find new ways to improve and develop. Accept change, ask questions, build relationships, and change the pace of the game.