Have you ever had any bad or annoying habits as a leader?  I have. About 10 years ago, whenever I would make a request of my team or daughter that was ignored, not acknowledged, or not put into action in what I felt was a timely enough manner, I would say, “Let me try this again” and then repeat my request.
I think I saw that language played out in a movie or TV show, thought it was funny, and decided to implement it. BTW, this is a bad strategy for leadership development. I finally realized this on a family drive one afternoon.
My wife and I were having a great conversation and my 3-year-old daughter was in the back in her car seat. As we were talking, my daughter said, “Can we put in the Barney music?” Her favorite cassette tape (Yes, I’m dating myself) was a group of children’s songs by Barney, the pink dinosaur.
When my wife and I continued our conversation while not immediately acknowledging my daughter’s request, she said 12 words I will never forget. “LET ME TRY THIS AGAIN, CAN WE PUT IN THE BARNEY MUSIC?!”
I just started laughing, put in the Barney music, and NEVER uttered that phrase again.
What do leaders actually produce? Leaders produce themselves. Actually they reproduce themselves. Because leadership is the picture of a desired destination, the people will always become a picture of the leadership.
That is why if a leader ever complains to me about their people, team, or family, it is actually a picture to me of the quality of that leader.
My pastor, Dr. Crawford Loritts, says, “Modeling projects what is normal.” Leaders, what are you modeling to those you are called to serve? It will become reality and the norm for your organization.
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