With experience in racing Ironman, real estate journalism and pro-sports sponsorship I’ve interviewed many types of leaders and throughout it all discovered four values from thriving leaders, which they use to inspire people and to succeed. Here they are.
First, leaders that thrive have faith in their dream, their team, and their abilities.
They use that faith to inspire their team to accomplish Ironman-type goals. Their faith helps them lead with wisdom, courage, and integrity — not fear, manipulation, and belittlement. Faith gives leaders courage to take risks and take that first step into the unknown, for a goal without activity is nothing but an idea.
For example, in 2000 Craig Martin was a Nordstrom manager who became a part-time real estate agent with an Ironman-type dream — earn extra incom
e so his wife could stay home and care for their child. By 2004 he opened a brokerage office with five agents who believed in Craig’s leadership because they had faith in his values of treating people with respect and integrity. Ten years later Craig’s company, TNG Real Estate, will open its fourth office, supporting nearly 500 agents.
Second, to thrive leaders must be passionate about their goal.
Passion is more than being an enthusiastic vocal supporter, like a cheerleader. Rather, passion is a very strong emotion, a burning desire for something — usually something more valuable than individual glory.
A higher purpose enables leaders to stay committed during challenging conditions, to inspire people and build brand ambassadors. Let’s take Walt Disney as an example of the power of passion.
In 1923 “it stared with a mouse” — that’s what Walt Disney used to say. His passion was to create dreams. Through his leadership he created imagination, optimism, and empowerment. That passion built the Walt Disney Company into an entertainment empire with 150,000+ employees.
Third, leaders that thrive embrace being uncomfortable
Leaders know to thrive they must grow, and to grow they must get uncomfortable.
Being uncomfortable is a double-edged sword for many leaders. On one hand they may not like having power and responsibility over someone else. That negative mental clutter only holds leaders back from embracing their role. To overcome negative clutter leaders must learn how to use their power effectively and ethically.
So by embracing discomfort leaders grow, build confidence, and develop creativity. For example, do one uncomfortable thing a week like introduce yourself to someone you don’t know but want to meet or speak in public.
Fourth, thriving leaders focus and accomplish their goals.
According to the Harvard Business Review, a primary task of leadership is to direct attention. To do so, leaders must learn to focus their own attention. To focus on yourself you must pay attention to your inner voice.
That self-awareness is critical because business leaders must focus on many projects: revenue, futures, outcomes, tasks, solutions, values, services, and mission. To be effective, here are two possible ways to stay focused:
- Meditate – just 10-20 minutes a day clears the mind and relaxes the body.
- Get rid of negativity – people can’t thrive with negative clutter, so it’s critical to flip the negative thoughts into positive ones.
Need assistance or have questions regarding how to Thrive With Purpose™?
Call 415-545-8787 or email IM@dulebohn.com
1. “The Focused Leader.” Daniel Goleman, Harvard Business Review. December 2013.