This Week in Leadership
The Friday Five - Issue 42
Challenging leaders to maximize their potential
Terry Wetzel ~ Summit Leadership Development
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Bucket List ✅
Next week I will be on a hiking trip to Isle Royale National Park. I have been planning this since March and it has been good for me in many ways, including getting into better shape, staying focused, and having a positive “distraction” for my sometimes wandering mind. Do you have an upcoming challenge, quest, or trip? If not, get one on your calendar soon. Ever been to Isle Royale? Let me know.
Confidence
The author Brad Stulberg said, “Confidence comes from evidence. If you want to be confident about something, put in the reps and give yourself the evidence.” I call this proof over hope. Self-assurance does not come from positive thinking alone. You need to create the evidence.
Thick Skin
If you have a mindset that you must always be liked by everyone, it is very possible that leadership is not a good role for you. Leading people requires making tough decisions, period. Over time, this fear of disapproval compromises integrity, diminishes respect, and inhibits long-term success. A need for universal approval is incompatible with effective leadership. Be strong, be fair, be decisive.
That Amazing Colleague
We’ve all worked with a person who is consistently positive, solves problems before they surface, lifts others up, and makes the hardest projects feel manageable. They are always part of the solution and never part of the problem. Their reliability and subtle influence is often taken for granted. Next week, take a moment to make sure they know the impact they’re having. Get it on your to-do list today.
The Semi-Introvert
In a noisy world that sometimes equates volume with authority, introverted leaders possess an advantage. Rather than competing for airtime, introverts leverage reflection and listening. By taking the time to process information before speaking or acting, they make more calculated and strategic decisions. Check out Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.
Quote of the Week
“Speed is only useful if you are running in the right direction.”
— Joel Barker
Book of the Week
Full disclosure: I have not completed this book yet. That being said, Pause has really struck a chord with me. By halfway through, I had so many “takeaways” that I had to stop and reflect on ways to put them into practice before continuing. This is the book that will help individuals and teams overcome distractions and regain focus on what matters.
That’s it for this week!
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The photo in today’s web edition was taken in Munising, MI.
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