Caffeinated Leadership

Recently I discovered the joys of Coffee and the rush of the "magic juice". Hold that thought.

I have always heard the phrase "Speed of the Leader, Speed of the Team" and thought I understood it.....until I was asked to lead the Louisville Campus of NPCC.

See, I was a pretty busy guy, if you asked me if I was working hard I would tell you yes and at times even felt overwhelmed by the prospects of things to come in the area I lead. But there was a disconnect, something that I was doing that I really didn't understand. I was operating on a false sense of urgency.....basically I was telling myself how busy I was and honestly really believing it.

It's funny no matter what environment we are in we always gravitate towards comfort and predictability, but in order to continue to grow as a leader and as an organization we need to be intentional about strategic discomfort and proportionate uncertainty.

That My friends is the Caffeine of Leadership! Managing discomfort and uncertainty will cause you to lead in ways you never thought possible and produces personal growth way beyond the kind that false urgency produces.

Ask yourself this question.....Is there any discomfort in my leadership right now? Am I being stretched as a leader? Is there any uncertainty that I am managing right now? Am I playing it too safe?

Now Here's the Kicker.....Am I lying to myself about how busy I am, creating a false sense of urgency? Am I believing it?

Bottom Line: You can handle way more than you think and you ability to grow as a leader hinges on your willingness to be uncomfortable and uncertain!
It's you choice, It's your growth.

Now, let's have a cup of Coffee.