A takeaway about "Ohhell" Alarms
Martial arts legend Bruce Lee knew an essential route, disguised as a barrier, to inspire as a leader. He said, “Many people dedicate their lives to actualizing a concept of what they should be like, rather than actualizing themselves.” It’s the critical difference between self-actualizing and self-image actualizing.
Notice, his point is deeper than focusing on one’s image-to-OTHERS, which is perilous enough, but image-to-SELF.
We can deceive ourselves, or be deceived about ourselves, even with great motives.
Lee went on, “Every external control, even internalized external control—’you should’—interferes with the healthy working of the organism.”
Life-enhancing, reliable authenticity doesn’t come from off-the-shelf “shoulds.”
I’ve learned from great leaders that it's SO important to internalize this.
Why? Because inspiring leaders need to **look like** they love their jobs.
And it can’t be because they should but because they do.
But let’s face it. In leadership life, there’s lots not to love:) When things go badly, it can be hell to sit in the hot seat. That’s exactly when it’s most important to show up as an inspiring leader -- when the “Ohhell” Alarm” sounds.
If my leader isn’t fully engaged & energized, what does that say? If they don’t exude passion & belief, why should I?
We don’t need VPs of Rigor Mortis.
Remember, people can’t read your mind---they need evidence that you’re all-in. Make it consistently visible & audible you care about them & their part in a purpose larger than us.
Connect their efforts to bigger picture outcomes. Tell them explicitly how what they’re doing contributes to the team, organization, customers, or community.
Ensure they get it, and keep getting it! Make it impossible for them to not know their work makes a difference. Give examples & recognition.
Again…Inspiring leaders look like they love their jobs. Not because they should, but because they do.
It’s not superficial, hyped, or contrived attempts to look how they’re “supposed” to look. That’s cringey & draining. It’s fake, and self-lies cause self-loathing.
Inspiring leaders find something to love about what they’re doing, who they’re doing it with, or who they’re doing it for. The mission, the work, the people.
Good days or bad days, leaders find it & show it. They find it because it’s ALWAYS there, rock solid & true, under other things that change.
It’s fully-realized, self-actualized & locked-in: In this infinitely precious but too short life we have, they’re grateful every day to still live & contribute.
That doesn’t change when the Ohhell Alarm blares.
The leader’s personal, inner, Hellyeah Switch is always flipped to “on” from the inside.
Inspiring leaders look like they love their jobs, because they love something even more than any job.
They love life itself.
We can all do that. Even if we “should”:)
That’s the takeaway: Flip the Hellyeah Switch.