Course 4. Foundational Leadership Principles: (Discussion #3) Lead Yourself
Please note: In order to successfully complete Course 4, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/shows that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and follow the instructions given. Save your responses to a document that you can later refer to. You will need to copy/paste your response in the course evaluation form at the end of each course to show that you have done the work and to refresh your memory.
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Great Leadership, unsurprisingly, starts with yourself!
Practice what you preach. Lead by example. I am sure all of you heard these phrases. But why are they so iconic?
Because the journey starts with the first step and you are the person who is taking the initiative to lead -- Start a journey! So, you are the one who needs to take the first step before expecting others to do it.
To start with leading yourself, close your eyes and visualize two people: someone who inspired and encouraged you to be like them, and someone who discouraged you to be not like them.
Then, write down the good qualities of the person who inspired you as well as the qualities of the second person. You do not have to be specific with the details. Just a bulleted list.
Now, compare the list to yourself. Note the good qualities you have, the bad qualities you have, and give yourself a rating on a scale of 1-10. What we just did is identified your strengths and weaknesses and what you need in order to lead yourself. This allows you to create self-awareness.
Self-awareness is key to leading yourself in the right direction. But, leading yourself is not easy. Just being self-aware isn't enough. It's igniting the spark but not enough to catch the fire. To catch the fire, you need to be persistent with your practice, which is regular reflection. Be consistent with monitoring your efforts and holding yourself accountable.
You can't effectively lead others until you know how to lead yourself. That happens through Self-Observant Leadership: when you deeply understand your identity, compare it to your reputation (how others experience you) and then make meaning of the observations, and choose to adapt.
Exercise:
1. Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?
2. Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread!
After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here! You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these posts to successfully complete the program.
This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.
1. Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?
I'm not quite sure I understood the question, but I know that something I need to improve on is decision making! The people I wrote down have very good decision-making skills, and I know that as a manager I need to improve greatly. Another thing I can improve on is Independence. I'm very much a follower, and I think that as a manager it doesn't look the best to be asking my crew questions just to double-check because I'm unsure.
@smolecho
Even if we can always improve, I think asking questions and checking isn t bad. Congratulations for your self-awareness!
@smolecho You gave a great reply and I see that you are reflecting on how you feel about yourself and that you feel you are a follower .. Sometimes we are followers and there is nothing wrong with that at all .. we can be both I believe as long as we know when to stop following and be the leader or help the leaders and be side by side as a team.
I think you are showing some leadership through your replies and sharing.
Tye
@smolecho
Good on you :)
@smolecho We all have doubts and sometimes asking others can put our thoughts into perspective and gain clarity.
Listening - One Step At A Time!
@smolecho Asking questions are important to ensure we fully understand the task we are handed. Good luck as you improve on this 
@smolecho Independence can be tough! It's scary to be independent and have the possibility of failure. Great job recognizing that and best of luck in embracing it! It's scary, but SO rewarding!
@smolecho
Great work
@smolecho
Decision-making skills are definitely a great skill to cultivate.
@smolecho
Amazing
@smolecho
Great answer, thanks for sharing!
@smolecho You got this. :)
@smolecho That's a great idea!!
@smolecho
Asking others for clarifying is absolutely fine, I don't think it's bad to have that quality but also not easily be persuaded by others is also important. Leadership is definitely hard.
@smolecho Great answer! Decision making is indeed challenging and it takes some experience, while there's always some risk behind it. I'm sure you'll do great if you set it as a goal to improve on that!
@smolecho Thanks for sharing ~
@smolecho Great thoughts and spirit! Good job!
@smolecho
I love your reply! It is very astute and I could relate to many parts of it myself.
@smolecho
Congratulations on your self-awareness <3
@smolecho
I also did not entriely understand the question, but really appreciated your response. I think it is great you were able to see what you can improve on and be interested in developing it!
Best of luck on your LDP Journey!
@smolecho
My answer is pretty similar as I did not understand the question?
Good Job!
@smolecho
Best of luck :)
@smolecho awesome answer!
@smolecho
I also need to work on being a leader more than a follower! It's good that you are self-aware :)
@smolecho
That's really a great insight!!!
@smolecho very true! Awesome response
@smolecho
I enjoyed reading your response!!
@Heather225
Hello! How are you?
I have to improve my boundaries-setting. To do that, I ll try to remember that I always can (and will) set boundaries with kindness, consideration, and warmth.
@Daf8 Great replies and yes Boundaries are so important and I learned the hard way here how to really set and reflect on how I could set some boundaries for myself and not get burnt out or overwhelmed..
You are doing ao awesome !!!!
Tye
@Daf8
very rightly said Daf, setting boundaries is very much important .. Best wishes
@Daf8
very rightly said Daf, setting boundaries is very much important .. Best wishes
@blissart
Thank you! "Best wishes"? You must be meaning "*You* wishes"!
@Daf8
Good job with self-awareness. I wish you the best in your endeavour to improve yourself
@Daf8
Establishing professional boundaries is definitely important. We can't be too laid-back but we also can't be too rigid either. Bravo!
You're right @Daf8. Boundary setting can solve half the problems. All the best :)
@Daf8 I love this! There is such a fine line between being kind and letting people walk all over you. Good job!
@Daf8
Boundaries are so important!! I am glad you recognize that and have the goal of strengthening yours.
@Daf8
I agree, boundaries don't have to be limited to personal space, setting boundaries with other things is insightful.
@Heather225
1. Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?
I do need too and have been more aware of whatching myself and doing self awareness since doing this program it has taught me so much that I really needed to work on and use in my roles I do have here on the site and out in real this would have came in handy when I did work when I was able too physically. Reflect on what i have done and said and how I have lead and been an example to others.. I have failed in some areas and thrived in others but I am much more aware and have grown . I can see clearer now and what it is that I need for me and others to support the site better . Believing in myself is so needed to believe in others..
I honestly believe that anyone who is taking on a Role/badge for a leadership positiion should have to take the Leadership Program .. People can learn from this and not just take on roles and get the badges.. I am probably gonna be hated for saying this lol... This is an awesome learning leaderhsip program.
Tye ,And yes will reply to 3 or more peers
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
So cute and motivational! Awesome answer
@Daf8 Thank you
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Thank *you*
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Amazing answer!!!
@azuladragon34 Thank you my little Dragon
@Tyedyedbutterfly65 I believe in you!
Yes it is an awesome program and I too agree that to be a leader it is very useful.
Listening - One Step At A Time!
@MistyMagic Thank you Misty
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
I agree. This program has made me feel more confident in myself as a new leader.
@PeaceLoveandPaws Yes me too and I have really felt so much better doing it ... So glad to see that you are enjoying it.
Tye
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Good job with self-awareness, Tye
I completely agree with you on the effectiveness on Leadership Program
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Keep the awesomeness going, me lovin'it! *Hugs*
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Nope, I don't hate you at all. I appreciate you saying this because this program is helping a lot of us, myself included. I think it would be a great idea for every leader in the community to take these courses.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65, I love your in-depth and insightful answer, Tye! I love how you reference using skills learned on-site in real life 💙
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
that's a good self-reflect answer.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Yea being a leader it has really helped me learn so much since ive started with the leadership program. Its a good idea for leaders or ones who wish to be leaders to do it
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
I like your sincerity. Nice one.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65 thanks for sharing your ideas about where you might improve. This one really struck me as an important thing " Believing in myself is so needed to believe in others" When my confidence i my self is shaken, then it is difficult to lead.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Beautiful answers Tye
I agreed this is a brilliantly designed program for self-improvement and roles should go through LDP ❤
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
amazing response!
Awesome 👏
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
I love how detailed and insightful your response is.
@Heather225
Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?: One area I scored low on my self awareness checkin is the tendency for me to get angry over the slightest thing or when people tell me they don't agree. I need to improve by accepting the fact that there will be people of differing opinions.
@azuladragon34 Great reply and knowing what you need to work on !!! We are not perfect people right so we can work on things . Hugsss
@azuladragon34
Great answer!
@azuladragon34 Yes anger can be challenging but you can master it !
Listening - One Step At A Time!
@MistyMagic
How do I do that? Not get angry for anything
@azuladragon34 You're right there will always be people who have opposing views and opinions from us. We can respect their differences and still focus on ours. Good job on recognizing that.
@azuladragon34 It's hard to sometimes see things from other people's perspective. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability with this answer!
@azuladragon34
I love your self-awareness :) and don't forget, we are all a work in progress so don't be too hard on yourself <3
@azuladragon34 I love your answer! I can understand this and how hard it can be to know what's worth getting angry over and what's not!
@azuladragon34
It's good that you are self-aware! I have the same issue too! I get mad easily but it's important to take into consideration what they are saying to help us be a better leader :)
Good reply
@Heather225
1. Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?
Negativity - I need to try and stay positive all the time but also understand that there will be periods of doubt and confusions and there is not need to be dragged down and stay at that negative level as I will work to find solutions and move forwards throught problems and the path.
2. Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread!
Listening - One Step At A Time!
@MistyMagic Misty I do not believe that everyone can stay positive all the time that is not ever gonna happen , we are human !! You do an awesome job here. Thank you !
@MistyMagic
The response is objective and many experience the same thing... Thanks for sharing
@MistyMagic Great thoughts and spirit! Good job!
@MistyMagic
I absolutely tend to struggle with negativity as well. Good job on your post and on demonstrating your self-awareness!
Good answer
@Heather225
1. Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?
I realize that sometimes I am a bit of an overachiever and I put too much pressure on myself to do my best at everything that I get involved in. One thing I can do to improve is by allowing myself to enjoy things in the moment and participate in things that I love for the fun of doing them, not because there is a reward to get.
@CheeryMango You are a great teammate and so appreciated and a great leader !!
@CheeryMango
Great answer. I think it's important to slow down and enjoy the fun in the moment.
@CheeryMango
u r rt mango, just doing something for fun is so pleasing an activity, add an award to it , and it gets stressful
@CheeryMango
great answer! im proud of you for recognising where you need to improve to get better!
good luck in taking pauses and enjoying the moments! <3
@CheeryMango
Sound like you're a perfectionist. It can be tiring. Good on you for slow down and enjoy the moment.
@CheeryMango
I get you. But I also think we need a well-deserved self-care break from time to time, to relax and rearrange our priorities.
Goodluck :)
@Heather225
Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve? I'm not positive I understood the exercise. I know one area where I could use some improvement is learning to delegate. There have been times when I've tried to avoid conflict by taking on the task myself.
@PeaceLoveandPaws You are like me you would rather do it yourself and not have to deal with others and also have it done the way you want it done and get it done when it should be done.... correct ? lol
We are born leaders we are !!! but we do have to allow others in and work with others even it can be hard too at times .. we wear ourselves out doing it all !!
I like having control it is like with cruise control on a car I hate it and never used it lol I can not stand that feeling of not being in control.. I am the type that plans the parties , buys all the stuff , fixed all the stuff and threw the party for others and then cleaned it all up and wore myself out for years of doing it my way and not wanting others to mess things up .. same when i worked I was a loner and did my own thing and did it the way i wanted to do it .. people got on my nerves lol
You are an amzing leader Paws <3 Hugsss
Tye
1. Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve? I don't know "Where" I scored on self-awareness, but I know that I can "take too much on". I'm a "yes" person, and sometimes that leads me to frustration and overwhelm.
I've started using a project management board to help me better manage my responsibilities! (Yay Trello)!
@Heather225
Share one area where you scored low on your self-awareness check-in and one thing you will do to improve?
I scored low on being social and would liketoimprove my social skills
@blissart
I'm sure you are gonna get better at socialising bliss!! <3
good luck!
@blissart
I'm sure you'll do great, good luck :)
@Heather225
One area i scored low is organisation. To improve, I have started to make time tables, planners and check lists where I list out all my resposibitites and keeps track of all my works so that i am not missing any of my duties.
@positivePumpkin22
This is a great plan Pumpkin! I really like how detailed it is - time tables, planners and check lists, and keeping track of all work. Well done ! :)
@MoonlightHelper1
Thank you moonlight!! <3
@positivePumpkin22
Good job evaluating yourself :)
@CognitiveACE thank you <3
