Are you creating the right ripples?

Whatever you do as a leader can easily become contagious. This makes it important to know how to choose-and-act rather than react; to be aware of what you’re doing and notice the impact it has. Are you creating the right ripples across the team? 

If you haven’t already, shed a light on your blind spots. You can find out what some of them are from your team (they are likely to see them!). Reflect and get to know yourself, including your needs and triggers. You might choose to work with a coach to do this. Of course you’re busy, but this isn’t indulgent. It’s about enabling you to lead the team better and improve productivity, clarity and results. This is driven less by what you say than what you are doing and who you’re being. 

Find your confidence, because without it, defensiveness will be far more prevalent. Knowing yourself will make you more aware of your reactions. The ability to step out of a reactive mood brings choice, enabling you to lead consciously, in the way that’s right for you. It’s likely to make you more calm, and that can be contagious, too. 

Sometimes, it won’t work out the way you’d like. You’ll do something that has a different impact than you intended, or act from defensiveness or fear. It creates an effect across the team. 

The good news is that courageous behaviour like vulnerability and trust can also become contagious. Own your mistakes and talk about what you learned. You might well find those around you increasingly doing the same. 

What are the ripples you want your behaviour to create today?