"Growing Your People Monthly" Newsletter

March 2009

Greetings!

Several years ago I was invited to meet and hear New York Times bestselling author, Mark Albion, discuss his book True to Yourself. I was reminded of the enduring relevancy of his message after recent conversations with clients and colleagues about seeing others reveal their "true colors" during stressful situations. What does it mean to be true to yourself, and how do you maintain this in stressful professional situations? Learn more in this month's newsletter!

Be Well,
Yvonne Kinney-Hockert
National Speaker, Business Consultant & Coach
Consulting Solutions, LLC.

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Staying True To Your Colors Under Pressure

Being true to yourself and leading a team, business or company can be much easier when things are going well, but it can be a challenge when changing priorities and other workplace realities create stress. Leadership has a lot to do with building a team of individuals on a foundation of trust and support for one another. When that framework exists, it is much easier to work toward a common goal of building and sustaining a successful company.

As opportunities create space for business growth or leadership possibilities, leaders are often forced to consider their individual values in respect to the values of their organization. One of the "myths" Albion outlines in his book True to Yourself is especially applicable to this situation:

"Myth: Leave your personality and your values at the door. This is business." Albion points out that values actually produce unique value in themselves, noting "If you leave what is most special about you at home, how can you make a unique contribution to the world? And who wants to live that way anyway?"

As I coach leaders and work with business owners and emerging leaders, two of the most integral steps in development are creating an awareness of personality and identifying values. Most often, professionals sense there is a disconnect between their values and current situation but cannot put a finger on it until they begin to create a deeper understanding of who they are and how that matches how they are leading or the company they work for.

Neither step seems worthy of any investment until you've done it! And, looking inward takes more courage than many frightening activities, which is why people are often willing to create awareness but then stop the process there. While the move from awareness to accountability can seem daunting and pointless, it is crucial to put this new awareness into action. And, once the leader has completed this process, he or she will then understand the importance of providing the same professional development opportunities to the employees he or she leads.

Values are to an individual like the central processing unit is to a computer. The CPU makes the computer run; values help us make our decisions by grounding us and aligning us with who we are at the core. When we are not true to our values, we make choices that are not as honorable and in tune with who we are and what we want to be as a professional or a company. Whatever your personal and professional values, it is important to define them and then consistently assess whether or not you are making decisions that are aligned with them. You will then stay true to yourself, make better business decisions, and continue on your path of success!

Your Call To Action. . .