On leaders, on leading.

Whew.

This week in Cali for work has been quite the whirlwind so far. But it’s involved some really interesting parallels I just had to jot down while they were fresh on this (very weary) brain of mine. So here goes…brace yourself – this may be a little all over the place.  (And yes, sometimes I feel like my blog posts need a “proceed with caution” warning label, what of it?) 😉

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I sat in on a workshop discussion yesterday, actually two of them, that both tie back to this ongoing goal of mine to get and stay uncomfortable as much as I can this year – a year of “no limits” as I dubbed it back around New Year’s.

One workshop talked about the Myer’s Briggs personality testing and how to both use your personality attributes to your advantage, but also ways to “revolt” (for lack of a better word) against your personality attributes in some ways, too. In other words — make your innate personality traits work for you but also work against some of those very ingrained traits to push past boundaries that might be holding you back. (In other words: get uncomfortable, get out of your regime, your routine, your “normal”!)

The other workshop talked about women in leadership and how to become the leader on your team, in your department and within the company overall (have I mentioned how much I dig the importance placed on personal growth and development in the workplace that happens at my new job?? And how much emphasis is placed on growing the women in the company?? Um yeah, it’s pretty awesome).

The common theme(s)?

Get uncomfortable. If you’re innately an introvert – just do it, get out of that comfort zone and force yourself to take more risks. If you’re an extrovert, take a step back to let others (introverts especially) shine.

Stay uncomfortable. Portray leadership traits – even if you don’t necessarily feel it, ACT like a leader. Command a room versus hiding in a corner trying to become invisible. Dress for the part – appear pulled together and poised even if you don’t feel poised and pulled together. Fake it ’till you make it.

Turn that discomfort into quasi-comfort. A leader isn’t sitting around, status quo, in comfortable situations day in and day out. Nope. They are constantly in uncomfortable situations. But it’s how they harness that discomfort that’s the key. They force themselves to appear comfortable even if they truly aren’t. So think and act like a leader, no matter how uncomfortable it may actually feel. Even if that means reciting positive affirmation in your head to give yourself that mental boost needed to portray outward confidence.

Bottom line: It’s time to stay uncomfortable.
(as if I needed that reminder, huh??)

…in my (yes, MY!) barre n9ne classes. <–whee!

…in my job.

…in my running (and future marathon-ing).

…in my relationships.

…Because it’s the only way to let yourself be great. By pushing past boundaries, getting used to being uncomfortable — learning to lead vs. follow.

And chasing those dreams.