Skip to main content

“If you want to be successful in your career, you cannot afford not to lead yourself well.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell from his book, How to Lead When Your Boss Can't (or Won't) (p. 25). HarperCollins Leadership. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

And this is so important.

John says, “While it’s true that all leaders must become good at self-leadership in order to lead effectively, it’s also important to note the power self-leadership has with others. Nothing will make a better impression on your leader and those you work with than your ability to lead yourself well. This develops credibility which reduces a lot of friction people experience, including with their bosses.”

He goes on, “I have observed that most people put too much emphasis on decision making and too little on decision managing. As a result, they lack focus, discipline, intentionality, and purpose. We often think that self-leadership is about making good decisions every day, when the reality is that we need to make a few critical decisions in major areas of life and then manage those decisions day to day.”

He later says, “One of the most frustrating things about working for others—especially when working for a bad boss—is not having complete control over your list of responsibilities or your schedule. But that doesn’t mean you just give up on managing your priorities. So what should you do? Try to get yourself to the point where you can manage your priorities and focus your time in this way:
·      80 percent of the time — work where you are strongest
·      15 percent of the time — work where you are learning
·      5 percent of the time — work in other necessary areas

“This may not be easy to achieve, and it may take some time to get there, but it is what you should strive for. If there are people working for you, try to give them the things you aren’t good at but that they are. Or if possible, trade some duties with your colleagues so that each of you is playing to your strength. One of the ways to become better at your work and be recognized for it is to gradually shift from generalist to specialist, from someone who does many things well to someone who focuses on the few things you do exceptionally well.”

He then says, “You must also stop doing things you like that aren’t necessary and don’t bring a high return. Just because you like doing something doesn’t mean it should stay on your to-do list. If it is a strength, do it. If it helps you grow, do it. If your leader says you must handle it personally, do it. Anything else is a candidate for your ‘stop doing’ list or for delegation.”

You see, don’t you, that you do have some control and self-responsibility even when you have a bad boss? 

Yes, yes
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But is that all that is important? Jon says, “We want to realize an immediate return from whatever we invest in. I am prone to this way of thinking in so many areas of my life. ‘I paid a lot for that meal, yet the portions were not that big.’ ‘I invested two hours in that movie, and it was just okay.’   ‘I went to church, but the sermon wasn’t that profound.’ We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives. But beauty doesn’t fit within that framework. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, there was an immediate outcry against her extravagant generosity. ‘It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ (Mark 14:5) One gospel depicts the disciples crying, ‘Why this waste?...
Post a Comment
Read more

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book,   Winning the War on Worry    (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...
Post a Comment
Read more