I have worked with so many different types of leaders and each one brings their unique perspective to their leadership. Some leaders are more extroverted and share their messages in a loud, excitable way, while other leaders are more introverted, offering their ideas through a more reflective voice. Some lead with a great deal of nurturing while others are bullish and pushy. There are leaders who are extremely direct in dealing with others and some leaders who are very concerned with people’s feelings so are gentler in their interactions.
What kind of leader are you?
How would you describe what is in your leadership cereal bowl?
ARE YOU A FLAKE OR A KERNEL?
There is a time and place for being either a solid, steadfast leader or a step back and let things fly leader. Partnering with a leader recently, it was essential that he take a methodical and calm approach to resolving a manufacturing issue. He needed to present his case carefully with facts, data and clear solutions. While coaching another very serious leader at that same company, it became apparent that she needed to lighten up a bit and not take a co-worker’s comment too seriously.
[Tweet “Leadership is knowing when to stay firm or lighten up.”]
IS YOUR CEREAL COLORFUL OR BLAND?
Being creative and innovative is important to leaders in moving themselves or their teams forward. Just look down into your bowl and ask:
- Do I need to add fruit or more variety to think about my challenge differently?
- Am I feeling bored or stuck with the same type of cereal each day?
- Is it time for me to add some new skills to my leadership toolbox?
- What specifically would excite or transform me at this point in my career?
[Tweet “Add more color to your leadership by learning something new.”]
DO I NEED MORE CRUNCH IN MY CEREAL?
Leaders communicate in many different ways yet all leaders need to be impactful. Are you feeling that people are not listening to you or that you are being left out of conversations? Here’s a secret to communication success- become an assertive communicator.
- For people to listen to us, we need to be an active listener. That means hearing people out completely without interrupting or doing other things while they are talking.
- We need to state our needs clearly and concisely while still being respectful of the other person’s point of view.
- We owe it to our teammates to stay focused and ask helpful questions about what they are talking about. I have been in conversations where inappropriate questions are asked just because the other person isn’t really in the moment.
- Remember to ask: “What are your thoughts?”
HOW MUCH MILK SHOULD I ADD TO MY BOWL?
This is the hardest one and each leader knows best. We need just the right balance of challenge to spark our growth but not soak us too much. To get that balance add a little bit at a time and see how you feel. Meet up with one of your social media friends to get to know better. Pick up that fiction or non-fiction book that you have wanted to read. Sign up for a 1- hour webinar on a fascinating topic. Add the milk slowly and your leadership bowl will be delicious.
[Tweet “Find the right balance between challenging and overwhelming yourself.”]
What is in your leadership bowl and what do you need to make it more appealing?
Fun metaphor. Have you ever used this in one of your workshops?
Metaphors are a great way to share critical leadership lessons. I use many different metaphors in all my training as they help leaders deal with challenges in a more relaxed way.
Thanks Karin!
This is fantastic! I think you may have reinvented DiSC and leaders everywhere will be taking the cereal assessment!
Lightening things up is a great way to take an honest look at you challenges and gifts. Love it, Terri!
Thanks Alli! What a great idea to use the cereal assessment in place of DiSC! It’s true that when we look at how we can become stronger, more influential leaders through fun exercises we can both laugh and learn simultaneously.
Although I haven’t used this exact assessment, I have worked with many leaders trying to get a better grasp of who they are what they stand for. Participating in that type of exercise is so empowering as well as inspiring for an entire team.
I so appreciate your wonderful insights!
Fun and powerful post Terri!
I love the question are you a flake or a kernel! Maybe because I’ve been writing about popcorn kernels, and maybe because I’ve written similar comparisons about knowing when to lighten up and when to be firm and used the analogy of a candle or a beacon!
I am totally with Karin and Alli – Word pictures pack a punch and make it so much easier to remember the point!
Thank you for a thought-filled and healthy breakfast! 🙂
I never thought about popcorn kernels, Chery, but they too have solid formations similar to cereal kernels in being more defined and firm. I love your idea of a candle or a beacon, another helpful way to explore our unique leadership styles.
We just need to keep in mind that flexing to different styles in different situations is sometimes necessary to be more influential or to meet people in their styles.
Having fun and being playful is serious business for leaders but so worthwhile.
Thanks Chery for continuing the dialogue!
Love the metaphor, Terri!
This is a great sentence: “We need just the right balance of challenge to spark our growth but not soak us too much. To get that balance add a little bit at a time and see how you feel.”
Isn’t this the essence of learning how to deal with our management style? The first step is learning how to manage ourselves….
That is so true LaRae that when we have an understanding of how we deal with stress as well as welcome opportunities, we connect with our preferred style. I think that the balance comes in when we know how far outside our comfort zone we can step without toppling our entire leadership. Stretching ourselves is essential and recognizing our gifts gets us there.
Thanks LaRae!