Get in Shape to Lead

Leadership Coaching Notes  M A Y 2 0 1 1

Get in Shape to Lead

Please Choose to Receive Leadership Coaching Notes!

We’re updating our mailing list. Within the week, you’ll receive an email asking you to re-subscribe to Corporate Adventure’s mailing list. Look for this one-time opportunity to sign up and keep receiving valuable, inspiring ideas, tips and tools.

Please stay with us. We’d hate to lose you, so sign up!

6 Ways to Get in Shape to Lead

We wouldn’t dream of running a marathon without getting in shape, but too often, we accept demanding leadership assignments without a thought of getting in shape to succeed.

If you are coasting instead of training in these 6 habits, you risk unnecessary crises, injuries to yourself and your reputation, and damage to key relationships. How are you doing?

1. Ask “Why?”

I am honored to support leaders who improve the lives of poor and oppressed people around the world. They lead organizations that will never fully succeed and will face more setbacks than successes in their lifetimes. Yet, they are inspiring and effective leaders because they’ve answered “why?” with clear-eyed, conviction.

Many others, including me, are less disciplined and say, “yes” before asking, “why?”
Later, we feel trapped, stressed and resentful of the obligations we carry. Forgetting to answer “why?” can cripple resourcefulness, enjoyment and success — your own and others’.

2. Cross Train:

Strength, flexibility, endurance and agility define physical and leadership health.
Cross training different muscle groups builds these at the gym. Pushing yourself to continuously learn new skills, views, cultures, and philosophies builds them for leaders.

Want more versatility, creativity and skill for spotting opportunities and risks faster?
Cross train.

3. Power Up:

In the gym yesterday, I listened to the aerobics instructor extol her class to “Power up!”She knew that top conditioning builds by alternating high exertion with times to coast. Tony Schwartz’s research on high performers in sports, military, and business shows that using frequent recovery rituals and then “powering up” always beats relentless effort, even by the most skilled players.
Need more focus and energy? Identify and practice simple recovery rituals regularly and consistently. Breathe and stretch after each phone call. Take lunch. Work in multiple 20 minute sprints. They are far more productive than a forced march.

4. Use Training Partners:

I am amazed at the ways that leaders deprive themselves of support that would make their work easier, faster and more impactful. Many tackle all tasks themselves, believing they are “saving” others and can do the work faster, easier and better.

Want less stress and more impact? Ask, “Am I the best person to do this work?” You’ll find people who are happy to help. You’ll also make time and energy to deliver strategic, high-value results that only a leader can contribute.

5. Hold Your Punches:

Inexperienced athletes and leaders react to distractions, insults and temptations.Trained athletes and leaders don’t. Learn the discipline of when to stop. Learn when a situation is ripe for action and when no amount of skill or effort will make a difference. Practice recognizing when others are baiting you and when they are challenging you to grow.

Want more respect and loyalty? Learn to stop making low-road decisions in fits of anger, exhaustion or fear. They live like mistakes on your credit reports that are so beastly hard to overcome.

6. Exercise Physically:

Leading is flat out hard work and requires physical and mental endurance and strength. Schedule regular exercise, eat well and keep yourself in shape for the adventure. A trainer can help you achieve what you want.

What’s Next?

Discipline and practice …there’s no escaping them for leaders committed to achieving top performance. Choose one habit to strengthen and start shaping up today! Tell us, what other disciplines build your fitness for leadership success? I welcome your ideas and feedback at mkimbell@corporateadventure.com.

If you or others you mentor want to build greater leadership strength, agility and endurance so you achieve the impact that you most want, contact me for a free introductory call to explore how I can help. I love helping leaders become more successful and build Energy to Spare™!

All the best,

Meredith Kimbell
Executive Advisor,
Strategy Consultant Corporate Adventure

Leadership Coaching Notes uses real or composite client examples drawn from 25 years of coaching and consulting with leaders committed to solving their toughest personal, interpersonal and organizational issues.
Unless otherwise attributed, all material is copyrighted by Meredith Kimbell © 2011. All rights reserved. You may reprint any or all of this material if you include the following:
“Leadership Coaching Notes © 2011 Meredith Kimbell, Corporate Adventure, Reston, VA. Used with permission.”