Introduction
Leadership is a profound journey influenced by a myriad of behaviours. Ever pondered what might be holding you back, obstructing your journey to leadership excellence? The answer lies in your Drivers – ingrained patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and actions. In this extensive guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of leadership behaviours, unveiling the Drivers that might be steering you off course and how they relate to leading a team.
Unravelling The Power Of Drivers
Your Drivers, developed to secure acceptance and love, play a pivotal role in shaping your identity. While effective in fostering a sense of value, these Drivers come at a cost – the perpetual feeling of being ‘Only OK if…’. This blog will explore five main Drivers and their profound impact on leadership success and team dynamics.
The Five Main Drivers
1. Be Perfect: The Pursuit Of Flawlessness
The compulsion for perfection can be crippling, leading to excessive edits, iterations, and persistent anxiety. The Be Perfect Driver is a demanding companion, insisting that everything must be flawless. This pursuit of perfection not only consumes time but also takes a toll on mental well-being. The anticipation of getting something wrong can induce high levels of stress and anxiety.
Allower Statement: You Are Good Enough As You Are
To counter the Be Perfect Driver, embrace the Allower Statement “You Are Good Enough As You Are.” This statement encourages self-acceptance and mitigates the need for perfection. In the context of leading a team, this means fostering an environment where team members feel accepted and appreciated for their unique strengths, promoting a culture of collaboration over an obsession with flawlessness.
2. Hurry Up: Racing Against Time
The constant need to rush, characteristic of the Hurry Up Driver, can adversely affect communication, decision-making, and overall effectiveness. This Driver compels individuals to operate in a perpetual state of urgency, impacting not only personal well-being but also the quality of work.
Allower Statement: Take It Steady
To counter the detrimental effects of the Hurry Up Driver, adopt the Allower Statement “Take It Steady.” In a leadership context, this involves promoting a measured approach within your team. Encouraging a steady pace fosters better communication, thoughtful decision-making, and enhanced overall team effectiveness. It sets the tone for a work environment where quality prevails over haste.
3. Please Others: The Approval Trap
While pleasing others may garner short-term approval, it often results in unproductive
busyness and personal dissatisfaction. The Please Others Driver can lead to an imbalance where others’ priorities take precedence over personal goals, fostering resentment and frustration.
Allower Statement: Please Yourself First
In a leadership role, breaking free from the Please Others Driver involves embracing the Allower Statement “Please Yourself First.” This doesn’t imply neglecting your team; rather, it emphasises setting boundaries, empowering team members, and fostering a healthier leadership approach. By prioritising personal needs and authenticity, leaders create a more balanced and fulfilling work environment, promoting team members to do the same.
4. Be Strong: The Avoidance Of Vulnerability
The Be Strong Driver, rooted in avoiding vulnerability, can hinder collaboration and personal growth. This Driver compels individuals to shoulder excessive responsibilities, often at the expense of seeking help or expressing emotions.
Allower Statement: Be Open, Express Your Needs
In the realm of leadership and team dynamics, countering the challenges posed by the Be Strong Driver involves adopting the Allower Statement “Be Open, Express Your Needs.” This encourages emotional literacy, allowing leaders and team members to acknowledge and express their emotions and needs openly. By embracing vulnerability, leaders foster stronger connections within the team, creating a more supportive work environment where collaboration thrives.
5. Try Hard: The Belief In Effort Alone
The Try Hard Driver, driven by the belief that effort alone matters, can lead to unnecessary complexity and overcommitment. This Driver compels individuals to take on multiple projects simultaneously, often sacrificing efficiency and focus.
Allower Statement: Just Do It
In a leadership context, overcoming the pitfalls of the Try Hard Driver involves embracing the Allower Statement “Just Do It.” This statement advocates for simplifying tasks, emphasising efficiency over excessive effort. As a leader, focusing on impactful actions and encouraging the same within your team optimises time and energy, contributing to overall team success.
Implementing Change: A Step-By-Step Guide
Recognising your Drivers is the first step, but true transformation comes from action. Experimenting with Allower Statements gradually introduces new behaviours aligned with leadership goals, ultimately influencing team dynamics.
Self-Reflection: Conduct a thorough self-reflection to identify your predominant Driver. Acknowledge its impact on your leadership style.
Understanding Allower Statements: Familiarise yourself with the Allower Statements corresponding to each Driver. Comprehend their transformative potential in the context of team leadership.
Gradual Integration: Implement changes gradually within your team. Begin by applying Allower Statements in specific scenarios, easing into a more balanced leadership approach. Encourage team members to reflect on their own Drivers and adopt corresponding Allower Statements.
Monitoring Progress: Regularly assess your progress and that of your team. Observe changes in stress levels, collaboration, and overall team effectiveness. Solicit feedback and be open to adjustments as needed.
If you feel like now is the time to do a deeper dive and really develop yourself as a leader, get in touch to arrange a no obligation call and let’s see how I can help.