Every winter I recall vivid memories of my childhood when our family lived in Boston. (Since most of my life has been spent in the south, snow related memories stand out.) I was in kindergarten.
My dad had gone away on what seemed like a very long trip. He was participating in the MIT Sloan Fellows Program, and was on a trip to Russia.
Dad returned with a treasured gift — a Russian doll. Not cuddly, but interesting.
I remember eagerly taking the beautifully painted doll apart — opening the doll to find another doll inside, then opening that doll to find another smaller doll inside, and so on.
Some of the pieces stuck together and wouldn’t open. I was frustrated that I wasn’t strong enough to open the doll.
Dad had to help me open it.
As we opened each doll, I wondered, “What’s inside the next one?”
Eventually I discovered the smallest doll inside — the only one that was solid.
It was about the size of a jellybean and fit easily in my hand.
Finally! It felt like a prize.
As you go through your leadership journey (and life), it’s easy to feel like you are becoming different versions of yourself — like you’re creating a hard shell around yourself. Before you know it, you seem to have a different identity.
You’re showing up a little differently, bigger. Something has changed.
Your experience creates different layers. Depending on your experience you may feel as though you’ve grown. The layers are a natural extension of who you really are.
On the other hand, you may sense a disconnect. Something’s off. You’ve built layers to protect yourself. You’ve forgotten the prize inside.
You may be good at adapting yourself to different situations and environments, but it’s taking you farther away from your core.
The key to growing yourself and/or your business is to return to your core.
When working with organizations, we map out their “positive core.” It represents their key strengths, assets, attributes, beliefs, values, etc. Focusing on your positive core re-energizes your business growth process.
Those businesses benefit by spending time to reflect on their positive core to steer their course. They are working to align their business with what they do best, and what the market is calling for.
When working with executives, it’s a matter of getting to the heart of “what makes them tick.”
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to work with a number of executives who are committed to their own growth and development. They have had the opportunity to reconnect with their positive core — what matters most, what they value, what energizes them.
As a result, they are clear about their focus, direction and strategy. Their performance is strong and their leadership has a positive impact.
It’s not uncommon to go through phases where you think you’re on fire. On other occasions, you feel stuck and need a little help cutting through the layers in your own way.
Like prying open the doll, you need a little more strength to open difficult, candid conversations. And you don’t know exactly what you’ll find inside when you do.
You might have to admit what’s holding you back.
You might have to muster some courage to express a big vision that others won’t support.
You might uncover new opportunities you’ve never considered.
Return to what matters most to you.
To get your wheels turning, complete these statements:
An important priority that I know I’ve been neglecting is …
When making critical decisions, I want to consider…
My identity as a leader is…
(Include words you use to describe yourself as a leader.)
Leadership experiences when I’ve been at my best include…
I’m most inspired when…
Don’t breeze through the above statements. Give them some thought, especially during this holiday season. Spend a little time to reconnect with your core by turning to your sources for inspiration.
Revisit your core values. Pick one. Write it down.
If I were to ask you, “Why is that core value important?”
What would your answer be?
Whatever your response, you’ll be reminded of what really matters to you.
Stay grounded in the things that matter most to you as you direct yourself or your business heading into the New Year.
What’s inside the next year for you?
Cut to your core. Start the New Year on solid ground.