Getting to the End of Yourself: How to Make Your Leadership Come Alive

If your leadership is dead and your influence is shriveled up, let me suggest one step you can take to help make your leadership come alive…

Get to the end of yourself.

That is it. Die to your self-seeking, self-promoting, self-defending way of life.

When your day starts with you, ends with you, and is filled with you, you have set yourself up for ultimate leadership failure because your thoughts lead to actions. If your thoughts are focused on you and your needs, then so will your actions be driven by your agenda. People see these actions being consumed by and focused on yourself, but no one likes to follow leaders who are self-absorbed and fixated on little more than their own interests. Consequently, when you become obsessed with yourself, you deplete your influence through the selfish and manipulative behaviors that emerge to expand or protect your power, authority, image, etc.

Make Your Leadership Come Alive

The only way to get your influence moving in a positive direction and let your leadership come alive is to begin to get past your voracious need for self-preservation. It seems paradoxical that using influence for others ultimately builds up our own, which is why very few leaders adopt this style of leadership. Unfortunately, our business schools spend little time talking about giving your influence away. In fact, most leadership books should probably be called “The Power of Me.”

However, when you get to the end of yourself, people will more clearly identify what you bring to the table and applaud the value they see in you, saying, “There he/she is. That is the real ______ we love.” A word of caution: You will find this journey difficult. Rooting out self-preservation is never easy, but the benefits for yourself and those around you are invaluable.

Reap the Reward

How do we know? Because we see it everyday in the lives, families, teams, and organizations we serve. Those who replace their “me first” ambitions with a desire to influence, serve, give, and invest in their truest selves are the ones we witness come most fully alive.

When you get to the end you will find a new beginning. That new life will be full of the things you have always wanted deep down. So put the old self away. Get ready for real, joyful living. Get ready to make your leadership come alive!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to make your leadership come alive, we’re happy to schedule a meeting to discuss. Just click the contact button and let us know!