Develop Your Leadership To Easily Get What You Want
What makes a leader?
A leader has the ability to inspire and motivate others, as well as themself, to take life-changing action that produce extraordinary and sustainable results.
According to this definition, each and every one of us is a leader as we all have the ability to lead within us. How well you lead depends on your level of awareness, or energy. Higher, more positive, levels of energy are associated with more effective leadership. Anabolic energy is building energy, and whether in the workplace or at home, great leaders actively build relationships, teams, families, and businesses. Catabolic energy, on the other hand, is destructive, and catabolic leaders consciously or unconsciously destroy and break down everything around them.
The next few blogs are going to be dedicated to the characteristics of anabolic and catabolic leaders to show you how you can become the leader that you want to be.
The Catabolic Leader
A catabolic leader manages. The definition of “manage” is “to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use,” and “to dominate or influence.” Catabolic leaders control others. They tell others what to do, and how to do it. The catabolic leader, in keeping control, keeps the other people in the relationship in a dis-empowered position – and then most likely complains to everyone around that “I can’t seem to find good workers,” and “no one does things as well as I do.”
The Anabolic Leader
An anabolic leader, on the other hand, leads. The definition of “lead” – “to go before or with to show the way; to guide in direction, course, and action” sounds supportive and empowering, and it is. The anabolic leader doesn’t control and doesn’t push people, but instead, inspires them by words, action, and by personal example. This leader empowers the people around them and so likely remarks, “I have an amazing team of people to support me so I can do what I do best,” and “I’m am very fortunate to have the people I have.”
I received my coaching certification from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). One of the foundation principles learned in their program states that “Each of us is greater and wiser than we appear to be.” Anabolic leaders realize this, and thus, don’t feel the need to micro-manage, as they realize that everyone has their own answers and gifts, and will come up with their own solutions.
How You Lead Determines Your Results
Last month we discussed the various responses to being faced with a task or something to do. When a catabolic leader TELLS or DEMANDS that someone do something, most likely, they will respond catabolically – “I won’t,” “I have to,” or “I need to.” When an anabolic leader REQUESTS that someone do something, or ASKS for someone’s input on a project, they’re much more likely to respond with the anabolic “I want to” or “I choose to.” The more anabolic the leader, the greater the probability of success in the task.
This month, as you interact with those around you, think about how much more of an anabolic leader you could be if you led, instead of managed.
If you want to take a deeper look and uncover the way you lead, take this online assessment that reveals how likely you are to continue to put up with good enough rather than structure your business in a way that gives you the time, income, and freedom you want to enjoy your life right now. Click HERE for more details.
