It’s that time of the year when Rotary changes leadership around the globe. As you hand over the instruments of authority to the next leader there is a prefect opportunity to reflect, not just on your goals, but also on your leadership style. In Rotary we are all leaders in some shape or form, all with our different approaches to leadership, some being more effective than others.

On observation, the most successful leaders are those who nurture their skill over time, improving over time, doing more of what is good and less of what is bad. I’d like to share some thoughts on the matter, not from the pulpit, but from the trenches of the battlefield of life, from where I am trying to perfect my craft.

Here are my personal 3 dos and 3 don’ts for the next 12 months.

Do more of:-

Be inclusive and involve more relevant people in the grand plan right from the start and in the decision making; lessons from Ricardo Semler not withstanding.

Be kind, because we can achieve greatness without leaving behind a trail of casualties from our ambition and drive. Above all, be kind to our kids, because we will wish them to be kind to us when we are old.

I have a blood group that speaks to me every morning and it says “BE POSITIVE!” Every morning I will wake up with a smile and thank the Lord for another day, another chance to do something meaningful.

Do less of:-

Tone down my ideas just to fit in, then regret it later. The world has been molded by bold ideas and steady action that move forward irregardless of rejection by the masses. In the early eighties people would ask, “Why in the world would anyone want to own a personal computer?”

Believe that stress exists in my environment because pressure only exists inside you when you let it. Years ago, when I was asked to touch the stress, I realized then that it was a figment of my imagination.

Fear uncertainty, because most people call on their deep rooted skills when they are in an unfamiliar environment, and they perform better than they do when they are in their comfort zone.

That’s it. Next June I’d love to tell you how the year went. For now, I’d like to know; what are your leadership reflections?