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During my 21 years in corporate America, I have spent hundreds of hours observing others. Now, as a coach and consultant, I’m often asked what qualities I value most in people – and these five stand out. If you should reach recent levels of happiness and success this 12 months, consider how well you embody the following five qualities. They not only contribute to success in leadership, but also in life.
1. Vision
Humans have a gift that no other living organism has: the power of imagination. Successful, happy people use this gift. They imagine a future that is exciting and different from the present, and they consider in their ability to create and shape it. They don’t reactively accept the established order or things they do not like. Instead, they work hard to enhance the world around them.
They recognize that they have agency and can proactively change their surroundings and environment. They never say things like, “That’s just the way it is” or “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” Instead, they imagine their desired or ideal state and then compare this vision with their actual state. If they discover a gap, they immediately start developing possible solutions to fill it. They then get to work using them and experimenting with them. People like these show us that anything is possible and they are fun to be around because they encourage us to do the same.
2. Passion
Each of us has unique gifts and talents that excite us greatly. Time flies when we use them. We normally cope with them higher than our peers. They come more naturally and easier to us than to others. Thanks to this, we are capable of hone and improve our skills at a faster rate than our peers. Doing these items feels more like fun than work and we will not consider someone pays us to do it.
Life is too short not to take a position in yourself. We are most successful and happy when we discover what unique gifts and talents we have and take the time to practice them. This not only helps us feel fulfilled and happy, but also allows us to best serve society. Many people experience burnout, anxiety and depression because they work 40 or more hours a week NO doing what they love. When we engage in activities that energize us (slightly than things that drain us of energy), we are not only happier, but healthier.
I had several jobs that I didn’t like and my life suffered while I used to be doing them. When I got home, I felt like I had no energy. It was hard for me to seek out motivation to exercise and pursue my personal interests. I gained weight and lost contact with my friends. When I returned to the job I loved, all the things modified. I became a marathon runner, reconnected with friends, and pursued personal hobbies resembling photography, scrapbooking, and writing. By focusing on what we are passionate o is extremely necessary.
3. Courage
Fear is a powerful motivator. Research shows that there is a subconscious element in each of our brains that protects us and keeps us secure. Many of us hold back and live with the brake on because we are afraid of change and trying recent things. We are afraid of feeling uncomfortable, making mistakes, failing, or being judged by others. Courage sets us free.
As Franklin Roosevelt said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” Courage allows us to specific our opinions in the boardroom, express true opinions, suggest unconventional courses of motion and oppose the established order. This allows us to grow, develop and innovate.
Talking about it may be scary. But it is vital. The right people will appreciate your courage; don’t crush it. The courage to be vulnerable, authentic and transparent gives other people permission to do the same. Going against the grain and encouraging real, honest dialogues when others cannot or won’t normally doesn’t hold you back, but it does allow you to grow, especially if you are in the right environment.
4. Compassion
When we empathetically provide space for others, we free them from their very own fears and worries. Compassion allows us to create a secure space where others might be themselves, and that is when people can contribute most in meaningful ways. It’s not only our spouses, families, and friends who appreciate compassion. Our employees too. When others feel valued, appreciated and seen, they offer us their all. They do their best and provide the best ideas, which helps us move forward.
Over the years, many employees have thanked me for being kind and understanding. They told me how nice it is to come back to work when they have a boss or colleague who really cares about them. Unfortunately, compassionate leaders are quite rare. If you are one of them, you stand out, and this breeds great loyalty and respect. When people respect you, they are more willing to face challenges and find solutions for you, which suggests you’ll perform higher.
5. Responsibility
It’s amazing how much traction you create in life when you retain your word. The most successful people I know at all times do what they say they may. They commonly keep their commitments, including those they make to themselves. Over time, people notice it. This inspires great confidence. When you’re taking responsibility for each your behaviors and your results, you’ll work harder to seek out solutions in the most difficult circumstances. When money is not on your side and you do not blame others for your problems, you save a huge amount of time.
Most people spend an inordinate amount of time looking for scapegoats and assigning blame to anyone but themselves. This behavior prevents us from improving. People who are truly responsible focus on their circle of control, not their circle of interest. That’s the whole difference. Whether you lead others or simply lead yourself, accountability enables progress.
Practice these five traits and your life will certainly improve. If you have not done one or more of these items before and start now, you will be shocked how quickly others around you’ll notice and appreciate the changes. This applies to your personal and skilled relationships.