Mastering the Habits That Matter Most: Leadership Series - Part 2

Overview

• Theme: Habits shape leadership effectiveness.
• Quote: "Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally."
• Book Release: "The Power to Change, Mastering the Habits that Matter Most" on February 14th.

Key Points

1. Leadership Potential

   • Reflection of the quality of one’s habits.
   • To change leadership, one must change habits.

2. Mindset Matters

   • Leadership success is linked to mindset, not just skills.
   • Great leaders think differently.

3. Eight Common Habits of Great Leaders

   • 1. No Snooze
   • 2. Pre-Deciding
   • 3. The Hard Right
   • 4. You-First Leadership
   • 5. Touching the Line
   • 6. One More Rep
   • 7. Fueling the Fire
   • 8. Showing Back Up
   • Focus today on the first four habits.

Habit Breakdown

1. The Habit of No Snooze

• How do you wake up?
  • Option A: Naturally
  • Option B: To alarm, then get up
  • Option C: To alarm, hit snooze (57% of people do this).
• Health Effects of Snoozing
  • Triggers amygdala, elevates heart rate and can lead to health issues.
• Mindset Shift
  • Attack the day by getting up immediately, leading your body.
  • Benefits:
    • Gain additional productive hours (365 hours/year = ~45 extra workdays).
    • Have a strong morning routine (e.g., exercise, breakfast).

2. The Habit of Pre-Deciding

• Make decisions ahead of time.
  • Reduces decision fatigue and maintains quality.
• Application:
  • Prepare the night before (clothes, meals).
  • Block time for essential tasks (meetings, brainstorming).
  • Pre-decide on recurring activities (e.g., quarterly meetings).
• Outcome: Enhances productivity and focus.

3. The Habit of Doing the Hard Right

• Choose the difficult but right option.
  • Examples include confronting difficult team members or making tough organizational decisions.
• Mindset: Focus on the right choice, not the easy one.
• Principle: "If you aren't hurting, you aren't leading."
  • Often, the painful decision is what’s holding back your team’s potential.

4. You-First Leadership

• Shift focus from self to others.
  • Start interactions considering others first.
• Challenges: Natural tendency towards self-centeredness in leadership.
• Implementation:
  • Lead with questions, start communication with a focus on others.
  • Recognize the importance of genuinely caring for team members, regardless of personal preferences.

Conclusion

• Takeaway: Great leaders intentionally create the right habits.
• Next Episode Preview: Covering the final four habits—Touching the Line, One More Rep, Fueling the Fire, Showing Back Up.
• Final Encouragement: You have what it takes to lead and succeed.
• Action Item: Read "The Power to Change" for further growth.