WHAT’S YOUR RUSH?
Get rich quick. Lost weight fast. Around the world in 80 days. While supplies last. Limited time only. Hurry, hurry, hurry.
We live in a frenetic world, bombarded with invitations to speed things up and get them done now. Why expend time and effort when you can do it just as well- if not better- without exerting any time or effort? Why exercise and eat right when you can drink a magic shake? Why work ungodly hours to get a business off the ground when you can get rich in 90 days? Why take the time to get to know someone when you can get caught up in a whirlwind romance? Why put the work in when you can get the same results without even trying?
These gimmicks may seem transparent to you, but they persist, because we want them to be true and we are all susceptible to the temptation. Practically, it makes sense to do something easier and more quickly if it produces the same results. And even though we are pretty sure it does not work this way, maybe, just maybe, it may work for us. What do we have to lose? It is at least worth a shot, right?
Except it’s not.
If everyone could become rich, happy and healthy in 90 days or less, they would. We all would. These promises thrive, not because they deliver, but because we want so badly for them to. There will never be a shortage of people willing to pay for an easier way, and there will always be someone willing to sell it to them. The appeal of quick and easy is too much for people to resist and we all like to believe we are the exception and not the rule.
GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME
The truth is, most things, most good things, do not happen instantly. They take time. Often, we are unprepared for just how long they take, and we find ourselves disappointed and even self-critical that they are so hard for us. In actuality, they are hard for most everyone. Whether it is writing a book or an employee manual or the Declaration of Independence, there is a certain amount of time and energy required to do it well. Trying to rush a relationship or a new hire or a souffle just does not work.
Businesses are not built in a day. Neither are friendships or houses or healthy lifestyles. Neither are strong leaders. They all take time, and it is important that we give ourselves that time to do them well.
I DIDN’T KNOW IT WOULD BE SO HARD
As a leadership coach, most of my clients reach out to me when they are struggling and need support. In most cases, it is very shortly after they have undertaken a new leadership position. Through an unfortunate and damaging combination of not being prepared and not knowing they needed to be, most new leaders quickly discover just how hard their new positions are. And they have absolutely no idea what to do about it. They reach out in desperation and exasperation, often questioning and doubting themselves for the first time in their otherwise successful professional lives. I don’t know what I’m doing, they tell me. I am overwhelmed, they admit. This is really hard, they confess. And my response is almost always the same, why in the world did you expect otherwise? Everything is hard before it’s easy.
Leading effectively is as much art as science and it takes time to do it well. A lot of time. It is an entirely new role for which less than half of people ever receive any training or support. People who are chosen for leadership positions often have a long history of being successful and suddenly are faced with a role they do not know how to fulfill. Those who have placed them in the role remain quiet and confident that they can figure it out on their own. The unspoken message is that competence and natural leadership abilities will carry them through. It is a giant disservice to these leaders and even more so to those they have been charged with leading.
BECOMING A STRONG LEADER
Becoming a strong leader takes time, and there is simply no way to rush through it. Trainings, books, webinars, podcasts, supervision, conferences, coaching and leadership cohorts all help, and none will fully prepare you. So much of successful leadership can only result from experience and your leadership will require adjustment over time and circumstance. This is where the art comes in, and art, too, takes time. As valuable as preparation is, you will only flex your proverbial leadership muscles once you start leading. There is so much to it that cannot be anticipated, and your response will often require big decisions with not enough information or time to make them well. Many times, perhaps most times, you will realize you did not respond as you could or should have. If you are committed to fulfilling your role effectively, you will learn and hopefully do it better the next time.
Although you cannot prepare yourself for everything that will come up for you as a leader, this does not excuse you from preparing yourself as much as you are able. When you agree to take on a leadership role, it is not just one more thing on your to do list. Becoming a strong leader requires that your role as a leader becomes your priority. It necessitates that you receive ongoing training and support and even if you wish it were otherwise, it is important that you understand it will take time for you to do it well. Going into it knowing this ahead of time will help you handle the challenges better, realizing they are normal and in no way a reflection of your ability. They are, in fact, what will allow you to grow and become the leader you strive to be.
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To grow into your new leadership role most effectively, you will need training, experience and the opportunity to reflect. Let us help you. Reach out to us at: [email protected] or 703-688-2394.
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