How is it working WITH you?

How has it been managing yourself lately? From the conversations I’ve had with leaders, I’m hearing the cumulative impact of stress has been a bit overwhelming. I’m feeling it in my own life as well. The uncertainty is causing even the most confident to experience self-doubt. Even the steadiest, even-tempered leaders are finding themselves with short fuses, or overreacting to simple things.

Time for a little inventory:
-What thoughts are you letting rule you? Stop and take note of them.
-What assumptions are you making about others and their abilities and why? Challenge those assumptions.
-What are you most worried about? Do those worries come from insecurities, projections of fear of what might happen or are they based upon evidence?
- How did you respond this week when someone irritated you or your paths crossed in a less than positive way?

Sometimes managing and leading ourselves means asking hard questions and sitting with the answers. As you process, give yourself room to be human. Show yourself the same grace you’d show to a trusted staff member. Then, take what you learn about yourself and be mindful of how you may want to change.

(Photo taken in my neighborhood. of a sculpture by Staff Kempf)