“You can observe a lot just by watching.”
Yogi Berra
Our new guide dogy puppy Ajax is now 9-weeks old and continues to provide valuable insights about leading (and being led).
Ajax seems to be in three modes right now:
1. Mischievous-Kinetic:Â He makes rapid decisions, moves rapidly without considering consequences, runs into obstacles in front of him (literally), acts irrationally, lacks focus and attention, takes initiative without regard to any negative outcomes, and drains those around him.
2. Curious-Mellow: He explores new learning opportunities, sits and studies the climate and environment around him to take in new experiences, sights, sounds and nature, looks for opportunities to connect and bond with others, shows empathy, warmth and affection towards others, expresses a playful and positive approach to work and life and generates contagious positive emotions in others.
3. Blissfully Asleep: He seems oblivious to his surroundings whether it is sight, sound or touch, unresponsive to others, ignores and rejects ideas, suggestions, commands and directives of others, rolls his eyes rapidly and strikes others as if he is in his own dream reality (REM sleep).
Ajax is already becoming a bit predictable about his encounters with new and strange opportunities to grow and learn–whether it is with other people, noises, sights, sounds and smells (dogs apparently have a 200% more sensitive nose than any human). We can begin to see how he reacts and behaves with some consistency in only a week when he is in his three modes.
Ajax has already exposed one of the great myths about leaders: Leaders thrive on pressure, challenge and stress. In fact, the best of the best focus on renewing their energy in the following areas:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Cognitive
- Spiritual
Lesson 2:Â Effective Leaders Truly Manage Energy and Not Time
The most effective leaders understand that they don’t have enough time but, they have all the time that there is.
Effective leaders make sure to renew their energy and not run it down so they can be at the top of their game each day. Here are some behaviors that appear to differentiate the most effective leaders who manage their energy:
- Develop Secondary Passions
- Manage Energy and Not Time
- Use Short-Term Goals to Accomplish Long Term Success
- Seek Ongoing and Candid Feedback
- Deliberate Practice Over 10 Years Makes You Better
- Use “Ultradian Sprints†of no longer than 90 minutes to Minimize Interruptions
- Compete with the Very Best to Get Better
- Utilize a Balanced Success Scorecard with specific goals for ehancing relationships, happiness, achievements at work/life and their legacy/life meaning
Well, Ajax is just waking up from one of his renewal naps so you probably can guess what I need to do now!
Stayed tuned for more leadership lessons with Ajax….Be well….
[tags]guide dogs, seeing eye dogs, Guide Dogs of America, leadership, executive coaching, performance, layoff, social support, mastery, expertise, kenneth nowack, ken nowack, nowack, envisia, deliberate practice[/tags]
Ken Nowack
Kenneth Nowack, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist (PSY13758) and President & Chief Research Officer/Co-Founder of Envisia Learning, is a member of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. Ken also serves as the Associate Editor of Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research. His recent book Clueless: Coaching People Who Just Don’t Get It is available for free for a limited time by signing up for free blog updates (Learn more at our website)
I really liked this post Ken. As someone who always feels like there’s not enough time, I think energy management as you describe it is key to getting the most out of every day, week and month. Go Ajax!