Do you have to be boring or serious to be a great leader? The responsibilities may be challenging and even daunting some days. That doesn’t mean you have to turn into a somber, bland person.
In fact, it’s okay to be a little over-the-top, unique, zany or even a little nuts. Some of the best leaders in the world have been non-traditional and even a bit unhinged (Richard Branson and Steve Jobs, for example).
Experts on organizational success advise businesses to infuse their personality into everything they do. If businesses can be a little nuts, can’t their leaders be the same?
How can you express your individuality more fully in your leadership role?
Revel in and share your hobbies and interests, your culture or past experiences. Have you jumped from a plane? Do you sing opera? Can you whip up some amazing food?
Ask crazy, “what-if” questions about your work. What if we want to expand to Hawaii? What would we do differently if we decided to be the best in the world?
Laugh (mostly at yourself).
Allow your creative side to show. Jazz up your workspace in a way that fuels your thinking. Dress for success, with a bit of personality, so that you stand out from the crowd in a positive way.
Above all, enjoy each day’s moments by doing work that is meaningful to you. As Howard Thurman said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.”
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Take a few minutes and read about Herb Kelleher from SW airlines. Extremely successful leader (in good times and bad) and was a zany guy right up to the end. He always appeared to be having the time of his life. Every day was “showtime”.
The other point about “laughing-mostly at yourself” can not be overstated. My father always told me that the best joke in on yourself. No question is was right.
Have a great day and enjoy being a leader…
I’ve always said, “If we’re not having fun, then why are we here?” I think the best leaders touch people’s hearts and minds, and are touched by the people they lead as well (and, in support of this article I should say it’s also good if they’re just a bit “techt” as my Grandma used to say:-)
In my experience, the best work environments are where the people bring their “whole selves” to work…all of the good, bad, crazy, funny bits that make us human, and make us unique.
I’ve been in workplaces where everyone wears their “mask”…always playing political games and seeking opportunities to throw co-workers and supervisors under the bus…not pleasant at all. In fact, it’s a sort of a Stepford world inside those organizations.
One of my favorite Steve Jobs stories is related to the value of change…he said that every morning he would look into the mirror and ask himself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And he said, “Whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
If you’ve read the book about Jobs leadership/life, then you know he was definitely a bit “techt”; however, there is no doubt that his weirdness was part of his genius (or perhaps it’s the other way around;-) God bless all the slightly nutty people in our lives…wisdom, honesty, creativity, authenticity and fun reside there. Embrace the nuttiness!