When I ask if your roots are showing, how many women will look in the mirror? I am not talking about those roots. How much control do we have over our leadership style? What can we do to influence that style? Where does that style come from? Our roots are probably showing through in our leadership style. I focus many of my writings on leadership, but all of these traits can be applied to other areas of our lives every day.
These three key items define most people’s leadership style.
• Personality
• Values
• Integrity
These are the core items that define our leadership style. They are the elements that determine how and why we lead the way that we do. How were you raised? What are your roots? How do people perceive your personality? Sometimes their first impression of you is not really your true personality.
People see me as a “laid back” manager. I do not get emotionally worked up very often. Some of them feel because of this personality, I’m not strict with my team. Once they get to know me though, they see that I hold high standards for the people who work with me. This is my personality now, but it has evolved a little over the years. Part of it is that I am more confident in my personality and am not trying to copy others. I am not telling you to change your personality. You do not really have control over that. It is in your nature and upbringing. You need to realize it helps define who you are and how you lead people. You need to be aware of your personality.
Your personal values are based on the circumstances that you have been exposed to. How you were raised? How did your parents’ values influence your life? Do you have the same values as they or have you developed your own based on your opinions of their values? Religious beliefs, culture and political views have an impact on what type of person you are. They are all going to play a role in the way that you approach people. They affect how you lead people.
Some of our values in life are taught to us by our parents. I’ve been blessed with two great parents. I can honestly say that they raised me right. They taught me the value of a day’s work. I learned the importance of doing things together as a family. They showed me what I needed to be trustworthy and honest.
Integrity is how you apply your values. Can you be trusted? What are your actions saying? You have heard the phrase, “actions speak louder than words”. Do you “talk the walk” or “walk the talk?” Do not just say who you are through your words, but live it through your actions. What is your word worth? Do people trust that what you tell them is always going to be the truth? Do you follow up with what you tell people you’re going to do? Some people do not take this concept seriously enough. They make empty promises. They cannot be counted on to follow through with what they said that they would do. These are all aspects of integrity.
I am proud of my roots. So much of who I am is based on how I was raised. My mom is still with us, but my dad went to be with Jesus in 2014. I miss him dearly and will always value his traits that he instilled in me. Thank you mom and dad for your influence in my life.
If you would like to learn more about applying your faith to your life, read Faith Guided Leadership.
