Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Theresa Burns, Senior Account Manager at Gibson. We hope you enjoy Theresa’s wisdom and perspective.
As I approached the first session of Gibson’s Leadership Academy, a nine month leadership program, back in January, I was hopeful I’d get one or two useful lessons out of the experience. I thought it might be similar to some of the seminars you go to, where you hear a lot of information but only a little bit sticks. But boy was I wrong!
From group activities to one-on-one sessions with a leadership coach, I learned about myself and my colleagues. Here are a few of my greatest takeaways:
Understanding Yourself And Others
Completing the DiSC assessment not only taught me about myself, but also those around me. It helped me realize why some people act the way they do. It also showed me how to better communicate with individuals, which in turn helps build stronger relationships. Be it DiSC or some other tool, consider making the effort to increase your self-awareness as well as your awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of others.
Creating A Personal Mission Statement
Throughout the program we were asked to think about and develop our personal mission statement. It can be hard to come up with something to concisely describe your reason for being, but it is worth it! Mine gives me meaning each and every day. Your mission statement will be a work in progress. Throughout your life it may change with your circumstances and environment. But be sure to keep it true to yourself!
Visiting The Leadership Balcony
Learning about the value of being on the dance floor as well as going to the balcony has helped me significantly. The leadership balcony is a place away from the day-to-day demands of our lives. I now make an effort to take a step back and go to the balcony, look down on the dance floor to see the whole picture, and then decide what needs to be taken care of first. Whether it is a mental action or a physical, find a way to go up to your leadership balcony. You won’t regret it!
The Power Of Coaching
Time spent one-on-one with a leadership coach allowed me to learn so much about myself and my capabilities, and to further define my goals. That outside perspective is key. Yes, your development depends heavily on your commitment and engagement, but spending time with a coach can be truly beneficial.
Finding Your Zone Of Genius
Based on Gay Hendricks’ The Big Leap, we studied the concept of the Zone of Genius: “Your zone of genius is where the magic happens, where you become so excited by your mission you can’t wait to get out of bed.” Now finding your genius is quite a bit more difficult than identifying the areas you excel at or where your competencies lie. It is going to take time and effort to discover that place, but it is worth it. I was struggling to identify my genius but in one coaching session I had an “ah ha” moment. We were talking and as I said something my coach saw my face light up. That was it. What I was talking about was my genius, my happy spot, the things that made me excited about my mission!
Not only did the program impact my professional life, but it also impacted me personally. I found my inner strengths. I found my confidence. People’s first perception of you depends on how you perceive yourself. Go in showing your inner strength and confidence! If you don’t yet recognize these things in yourself, it is okay. Try some of the strategies discussed above – they can make a big difference! Once you recognize your strengths and exude confidence, people will respond to you in a different way. They will see this confident person walking in to the room and think there is a person who can make a difference.
I left the Leadership Academy with the shades off and my eyes wide open!
What’s The Risk?
The risk is in approaching things with a closed mind as you will miss out on great opportunities such as leadership development. You may think of these opportunities for development as a necessary part of your job or perhaps only go in with very low expectations. With shades on you aren’t able to reap the benefits of these programs. It is when you open up your mind and your eyes that you can truly become a better leader.
This content was written and shared by guest blogger, Theresa Burns.
Theresa is a Senior Account Manager responsible for the day-to-day service needs of clients. She works to obtain information and answer questions regarding coverage and policies. Her responsibilities also include making policy changes, issuing certificates of insurance, and other service needs as required.
Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn.
