5 Hard Truths Leaders Need to Hear But Nobody Will Say to Them
- Sometimes you will suck.
To excel at anything, we must first be willing to be less than great. Remember your first operation? Did it go well? Yeah, maybe. But was it perfect? Probably not. So, why do we expect to be outstanding leaders without being ready to make mistakes? The most significant lessons in leadership come from those times we fall short. People aren't looking for perfection in a leader. They seek authenticity, someone who shows humility and vulnerability.
- You are not superhuman.
We attempt to juggle it all, striving to be everything to everyone—a leader, a vet/nurse, colleague, partner, parent, pet owner. Our energy is pulled in countless directions. As leaders, we often hold ourselves to the standard of excelling in these roles simultaneously. The hard truth is, while you can achieve or become anything you desire, you can’t achieve or become everything you desire.
- Rest isn't a dirty word.
Your downtime is just as productive as the hours you dedicate to practice. Just as muscles repair and strengthen in the periods between workouts, your resilience and capabilities are built not just within the confines of the practice but also in the moments of rest outside of it. As leaders, we excel at staying busy and filling our time with tasks. However, not every moment needs to be packed with activities. Taking time to sit quietly in a room for a moment of introspection can be just as valuable as any work we do. It's in these quiet moments that we often find clarity and renewed purpose.
- Feedback is a gift.
The feedback we receive—whether solicited or unsolicited, constructive, or seemingly destructive—is all pointing us toward our next opportunity for growth. Great leaders don't merely view feedback as a gift; they actively pursue it.
- If you are too important to the practice, you're doing it wrong.
Our aim is not to create followers but to nurture more leaders. David Marquet's insightful book, 'Turn The Ship Around,' captures this perfectly. If taking a holiday, a day off, or stepping away for an afternoon causes the practice to stumble, it signals you've become too indispensable. This situation often reflects an imbalance between working IN the business versus working ON the business, or it may indicate that the team has not been sufficiently empowered to function without your constant oversight. Leadership, understandably, makes us feel valued and essential. However, the true mark of effective leadership is fostering an environment where your constant presence isn't a necessity. Striving to make yourself 'redundant' might seem daunting, but it's the hallmark of a truly successful leader.
The Power of Unfiltered Feedback: Why a Coach Tells You What Others Won't
Do you ever wonder why people don't say these things to you? The individuals you work with may hesitate to speak candidly for fear of risking their job. Friends and family, on the other hand, are often biased by affection—they tend to avoid remarks that could come off as critical. Moreover, they might not fully grasp the professional context or the unique pressures and challenges leaders face. So, even their attempts at honest feedback might seem off the mark, leaving you feeling misunderstood.
Enter the role of a coach—more specifically, a great coach. A coach is dedicated to your highest good, focused on facilitating your growth by conveying the hard truths you need to hear. This process is about breaking free from limiting mindsets and behaviours that hold you back. My approach is to shake up your world, inspiring new ways of thinking that transform how you present yourself, ultimately leading to outcomes you previously thought unattainable.
Your leadership will grow as quickly as you do. Contact me to start your journey to becoming a more authentic, effective, and empowered leader.
