When you accepted that leadership position some years ago you came in sharp as a Ginsu knife! The person that you are today is not the same person you were 5 years ago. You are probably not the same person you were 1 year ago because you have grown in experience, knowledge and wisdom. As I review some of the goals that I have accomplished this year I often come to the same conclusion, grateful for the wins, but I know that I could have been stretched a little more. According to my wisdom group, I’m better than I was last year.

Great leaders evaluate themselves, their teams and their leaders. We must decide if we are still operating at peak levels as well as the people around us. Do you still have a sharp edge or are you getting dull? Are you still driving to know the team, show the team, and grow the team?

Most of us want to be in an environment where all the players are consistently sharpening and challenging each other. Robert Kennedy once said, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
So what do leaders do when they are no longer growing within an organization? Some leaders, cry or lie and some say… bye-bye!

Remember, you have options so don’t give yourself a narrow frame for making decisions.

  1. It’s very easy to complain about your situation. You can make an excuse or make a plan.
  2. 360 degree lying…you can lie to yourself, to your staff, and to your leader about your personal development. You need to decide on your own level of transparency. If you value trust, be open 360 degrees!
  3. You may have to leave to grow. If you are not growing, your staff is not growing to their full potential. If you have developed your staff you will have a right hand person that will be able to step in and step up the organization to new levels. As you move on to a new organization, bringing brand new insights, your right hand person will do the same by taking the lead. Upon your departure, the new leader, staff and the senior leadership will experience new growth.

Anyway you carve it up, if you stay sharp, the leadership team around you stays sharp!

“Great leadership does not mean running away from reality. Sometimes the hard truths might just demoralize the company, but at other times sharing difficulties can inspire people to take action that will make the situation better.”
– John Kotter