Surprise Feedback

Today I had a firm conversation with an employee about perception and leadership. It is amazing to see how people act when feedback is giving. Although she has been an outstanding producer I feel like she has been somewhat misguided when it comes to leadership development.

Unfortunately she is faced with some major obstacles that are in her way that she will have to remove. The obstacles are not going to be easy to change and she is going to have to want to change. As we began to talk she asked me how? How do I change? I said it is simple the 1st step is to identify areas that you might want to change. I once has a manger explain to me the importance of self awareness, although this might seem like a simple concept most people do not understand it. In this case she has been buying her staff gifts, food, etc but ultimately what they want is direction (guess what, that is free these days).

As a leader you have to understand who you are, what you can be, and how you are going to get there. This is not going to happen overnight and certainly will never come to a point when you can say I have mastered this skill. Leadership is ongoing it is not a kit that you can buy in the store. Leadership is individualized not only for you as a person but for the people you are surrounded by. If you are not willing to change and adapt than leadership is not for you.