What’s in your shot glass?

For one of the attendees at last weeks BUILT TO LEAD leadership program, more than you might think. We spent three days working on discovering one’s CORE, which included using Marcus Buckingham’s book, Now, Discover Your Strengths. During a table discussion one attendee mentioned that they collected shot glasses as a hobby, enjoyed writing and how one of their strengths was INPUT and how that might be used in their work. As I write these thoughts it is obvious to me how disjointed this must appear. Clarity came easily.

One question was posed by the group, “Why do you collect the shot glasses?” Everybody laughed. However, as she told her story we saw her strength. This discovery served as an “aha” for her and the team. Here’s the magic. Her discovery was not something new. Her discovery was feeling her yearning, which led her to how best express and exercise it. All of us, like her, need to become the original we already are. Once we “wake up” and build our CORE around activities that make us strong, we start to realize how productive it feels when we play to our strengths instead of what others tell us we’re good at. We become BUILT TO LEAD.

If you want to discover and build your CORE you can start by asking yourself some very good questions.

Do you know your deepest held beliefs? Your WORLDVIEW.

Have you authored them or are you merely parroting what others have told you to believe? Prove it.

Do you know why you live and work? Your CORE PURPOSES. Explain.

Do you know how you want to live and work? Your CORE PRINCIPLES. What are you willing to get fired for?

Do you know who you are becoming as you live and work? Do not focus on what others say…your reputation. Focus instead on your CHARACTER…who you are when no one sees.

How are you building strength in your chosen purposes and principles? Your COMPETENCE.

How attractive is your PERSONAL CULTURE? Every leader gets exactly the team he or she deserves. Want a better team? Become a more “attractive leader.” Become a BUILT TO LEAD leader.

Slow down and reflect. Discover your yearnings. Ask yourself more “why” questions. Keep asking. Ask for help from your truth tellers. Choose action. Say “done so” and keep learning.

What’s in your shot glass?