There is an old system to make sure not to forget to follow up on a business lead or future task called the tickler file. Basically, it happens when one places a “tickler” into a calendar, whether it be old school or electronic, on a date in the future that will remind one to get a task done. It is still effective, especially for those who always have multiple projects in the works. I use all kinds of ticklers to keep me on track.
With that in mind, this week I will provide a few Leadership Ticklers which I believe will help you stay on track in your personal and professional life. They come from a wide variety of the sources that I keep track of and I hope they will be just enough to tickle your thoughts and make you a better leader.
Today’s Leadership Tickler: Focus on potential
The ancient philosopher Goethe is quoted as stating, “When we treat man as he is, we make him worse than he is; when we treat him as if he already were what he potentially could be, we make him what he should be.”
This is a fantastic reminder of how we should view the people we lead. All of us have had people in our care who aren’t living up to their potential, and as long as we treat them as they are, they seldom get better. However, when we start to treat them as if they are becoming more of what they can be, they start moving in a positive direction. The more we believe in them and show it through the way we interact with them, the stronger and more confident they will become, gradually blossoming into a much better version of themselves. This happens with our children and our team members.
Today, focus on the potential within people, and tomorrow you’ll see the new person they have the potential to become.
Lead well.