Today we are at the H in the Leadership a-z series. Last year when I undertook the Leadership a-z over at my old BizToolkit blog, I also focused on habits. You can read that post here. Habits are consistent actions, often undertaken sub-consciously. As Charles Duhigg explores in with a multitude of great examples, habits are things that allow us to really succeed for flow in work and life.
What habits are supporting you in your work? Which ones get in the way?
One of the areas many of the leaders I work with struggle around is in the realm of time management and focus. Email inboxes which are overflowing and "seemingly" take control of their entire day is one area we often focus on. Habits might involve getting into the practice of turning off email at certain time so you can focus. Engaging team members into a conversation about using other types of communication channels (such as picking up the phone or dropping down the hall) to replace those times where email isn't the best approach.
Other clients I work with want to develop habits with their team, such as the habit of meeting on a weekly basis regardless of what is happening. There can be a real allure to think that there is not enough time and other things are more pressing, when in fact, it is often that 10-20 minute touch point that really helps the team to focus, prioritize, reduce overlap and communicate. As a habit, the meeting just happens regardless of what's going on.
Habits are key to high performance. What new ones would you like to cultivate for yourself? With your team? What insights do your team members have about habits?
It is often said that habits take at least 21 days of continuous effort to create. Barbara Frederickson has found on a cellular level that one percent of our cells get replaced every day. That means habit on an even deeper level have the opportunity to change within a little more than three months. You can read more about Frederickson's research here.
In closing, what habits are working for you right now? Which ones need some attention?
Have a great rest of the week,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
(416)996-8326
What habits are supporting you in your work? Which ones get in the way?
One of the areas many of the leaders I work with struggle around is in the realm of time management and focus. Email inboxes which are overflowing and "seemingly" take control of their entire day is one area we often focus on. Habits might involve getting into the practice of turning off email at certain time so you can focus. Engaging team members into a conversation about using other types of communication channels (such as picking up the phone or dropping down the hall) to replace those times where email isn't the best approach.
Other clients I work with want to develop habits with their team, such as the habit of meeting on a weekly basis regardless of what is happening. There can be a real allure to think that there is not enough time and other things are more pressing, when in fact, it is often that 10-20 minute touch point that really helps the team to focus, prioritize, reduce overlap and communicate. As a habit, the meeting just happens regardless of what's going on.
Habits are key to high performance. What new ones would you like to cultivate for yourself? With your team? What insights do your team members have about habits?
It is often said that habits take at least 21 days of continuous effort to create. Barbara Frederickson has found on a cellular level that one percent of our cells get replaced every day. That means habit on an even deeper level have the opportunity to change within a little more than three months. You can read more about Frederickson's research here.
In closing, what habits are working for you right now? Which ones need some attention?
Have a great rest of the week,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
(416)996-8326
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