The Better Side of Leadership, part 2

I know what you're thinking...  And, I've been comfronted with the reality again and again: There's so much to do, so much to accomplish, so many roles to play; something's gotta change if I'm gonna get better.  Pat Riley's words can help get our arms around this idea of bettering ourselves: "Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better."  The word "gradual" gives us comfort.  It's the step by step, daily desire and attention that contributes to forward motion.  But, whatever you do...DON'T LET GOOD GET THE BEST OF YOU.  That means you've got to let go of some stuff...prioritize...and surround yourself with more partners.  Let's get practical. 

What do we need to be thinking about when it comes to this better side of leadership?

1.  Concentrate on competing with yourself.  In light of personal potential, measure your accomplishments against what you are still capable of doing.  Wayne Cordeiro wrote, "Potential will always be what you can still do."

2.  Influence your calendar for improvement opportunities.  How much time do you set aside to read, listen to a leadership CD or podcast?  What part of the day is set aside for personal improvement?  When are you headed to that organizational conference?  What gets scheduled gets done!  (Also, a growth plan will help you strategically schedule.  Check out one of my earlier blogs on this subject. http://darrenpilcher.blogspot.com/2011/12/preparing-to-climb-preparing-personal.html)

3.  Learn from someone who's doing better at what you're doing.  The idea here is not comparing yourself with someone else, but rather collaborating with new, fresh and better idea-starters.  Buy their lunch or travel to where they office and eagerly soak up the experience.
4.  Focus on giving your best in the simple things.  If it's cleaning the garage, don't overlook a single piece of dust or dirt.  Work hard to concentrate on details, even if you aren't into that.  Finish that book; organize that shelf; write that letter.  The sense of a job well done is enough to get the momentum of excellence moving.
5.  Journal your progress experiences as they happen.  Some things are frankly difficult to measure, and looking back on what can be measured and projects completed give much needed encouragement.  Take time to write down what God is speaking and doing in and through your life.

6.  Connect with a team of learners.  Join a team and/or form a team.  A book club or a group of conference junkies stirs up the creative juices and can even give opportunity for peer mentoring.  Don't pass up an opportunity to be with other learners.

7.  Contextualize the challenge of excellence.  You know where you are and what you have to work with.  Move forward from that knowledge base and set bench marks for yourself.  Improve today with what you have to work with.