I am often asked where and how do I start my leadership journey if I am to unite my family and build a family business.
My advice. First, start with yourself. You cannot lead and empower your family if you are not in race condition. Take a look in the mirror. Do you have “what it takes” to lead your family?
Whether leading my family or pursuing personal goals and objectives, I look back and see that my journey, consciously or subconsciously, was shaped by the following core (call them selfish) beliefs I place value upon.
- Self belief – There is no doubt that if I apply myself to the task at hand I will succeed. Call it self confidence, but I will always back myself to finish what I have started.
- Self help – I learnt long ago that looking to others to solve your problems is futile. As I indicated in my previous blog you’ve got to own your sh!t.
- Resilience – You will fail from time to time. Get used to it, but do not like it. Learn how to pick yourself up and start again. You may change how you achieve your goal, but you never give up.
- Commitment – Put it out there and tell everyone what you’re striving to achieve. Tell those who are interested what you are going to do and do it. Hold yourself accountable to yourself.
- Focus – Shut out all distractions. Your priorities come first. Dedicate what you do to achieving your goals and objectives.
- Discipline – Do the things that need to be done first. Ignore the temptations that do not contribute to the accomplishment of your goals. Comfortable, easy decisions while appealing may not contribute to your success.
- Curiosity – Never stop learning. “who, what, when, where, why, and how”, are my best friends. Answers to these questions opens my mind to new possibilities and personal growth.
Like a pearl, these core beliefs are my grain of sand around which the oyster layers its mother of pearl.
While I am much more than these core beliefs it is where I start from and how I choose to engage the world.
After all, if you don’t start with yourself first how can you be in a position to help others?
