It Starts With Me
Personal growth commitment is crucial for leaders, who must examine their own role in conflicts before blaming others.
THE IDEA
IT STARTS WITH ME
The commitment to personal growth is important—and it is most important for those in positions of leadership. “I always have to be willing to work on my own stuff,” says Baldwin. “If we are in a disagreement with the cops, I have to look at what I have invested in maintaining that battle—there are so many times that I would just rather go out and yell at somebody than remain calm and look at my part in perpetuating whatever is going on.”
“It all starts with personal mastery,” says Saillant. “It all starts with my willingness to see the shortcomings that are all too evident to those around me. I can never expect the people around me in an organization to be more open and willing to learn and improve than I am.”
When to use it
When in a disagreement with a colleague, pause to examine what you have invested in maintaining the battle.
During leadership development, start with personal mastery and self-reflection before expecting change in others.
In organizational change initiatives, ensure leaders first address their own shortcomings to foster a culture of learning.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Baldwin on Police Disagreement
If we are in a disagreement with the cops, I have to look at what I have invested in maintaining that battle—there are so many times that I would just rather go out and yell at somebody than remain calm and look at my part in perpetuating whatever is going on.
Saillant on Personal Mastery
It all starts with my willingness to see the shortcomings that are all too evident to those around me. I can never expect the people around me in an organization to be more open and willing to learn and improve than I am.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In a recent conflict, what was your own role in maintaining the disagreement?
What shortcomings are evident to those around you that you are unwilling to see?
How can you model the openness and willingness to learn that you expect from others?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Fifth Discipline The Art Practice of the Learning Organization (Peter M. Senge)