Leaders are believers is the ultimate melody line of BTL. Leaders are believers. They believe. Leaders believe in something bigger than themselves. Leaders believe in who they are and who they’re becoming. These beliefs are solidified in their CORE and reflected in their aim – OPUS. Everyday, in tons of tiny behaviors, these beliefs are further aligned through the discipline of specific, concrete, PA (productive action).
Leader are believers, on one hand. Bookend this thought in your other hand with a sober, reality check – humans are scared, really, really scared. Leaders are believers and lead a team scared of getting fired, scared they can’t keep up, scared they don’t matter, scared nothing makes sense, scared of outsiders and scared they are becoming one – an outsider, that is.
Last week after a particularly focused practice where I made my client unveil his thinking in front of me and one of his closest mates, he made a telling comment to me. He asked me when this was going to be fun. He, like so many I see, expects his improvements as a leader to come easily, naturally, and all while laughing along the way. BTL practice is designed to make you better. During practice the focus is on giving your attention and concentration toward optimally solving problems – mostly problems with people. Your problem, leader, is you too are scared. Your fear is contagious and spreads exponentially when you least notice it. You are in the business of people. And, your people are scared. Know this. Expect this. Lead a scared team. Lead with love. Your love. Your love that you constantly ignite and engage, knowing you’ve got plenty of fear and it takes more love than fear to lead.
Love your work and love your team. Our practice is designed to authentically increase your capacity for both loving your work and your team. You gotta focus on getting better, however, and stay connected while being instructed. In team practice you gotta model the way with vulnerability, transparency, and a warm heart. Regardless how large your system grows, you never delegate the business of people to another. God, help me help my clients connect belief and fear with love, not anger or frustration. God, help me…
BUILT TO LEAD 