Leadership Travels

Challenge 1

Perhaps I may have been ambitious here, particularly with the statement “….without breaking into a cold sweat”

I found this be an exceedingly difficult self-challenge, one which was accompanied by considerable negative self-talk. I almost chickened out and went for the email approach but made myself call her. It took about 15 mins of psychologically preparing myself to even dial the number. The first time I rang she didn’t answer and I can’t believe the immense relief that accompanied the putting down of the telephone.

The second time that I called her she answered. I managed a civil conversation etc and communicated what was required in a pleasant manner [or at least I thought so]. By the time I finished the call, my face was red and burning and I was sweating up a storm.

Interestingly with this particular instant the self-talk was not just inside my head, I was articulating my apprehension verbally to a couple of colleagues sitting near me.

I have decided a strategy for next time I am required to call her. I am going to document all of the -ive thought patterns around the scenario and write +ive scenarios next to them and prime myself with those for 15 minutes before hand if I have to.

The irony of all of this – she is perfectly polite on the phone.  I have worked myself into a twisted state in the last 3.4 years over not a lot really.  If I can deal with the V-C, D-VC’s and the rest of the Executive without batting an eyelid, there shouldn’t really be a problem here.

Challenge 2

Ummm.  While I have not keep a log in the last week, I was a lot more conscious of the fact that I was generating -ive self-talk.  This self-talk was actually stronger outside the workplace than inside the workplace.

I wonder if this is like being an alcoholic or something?  Acknowledging and defining you have an ‘issue’ and what that ‘issue’ actually is.

Will keep working on this one.  I suspect this is going to be one of the most difficult personal challenges in this entire program.

Hmm doing reading for this weeks class on Communication and Witholds.

Reading about the value of listening skills.   Reference to the better the decision maker the better the listening skills.  Given my worst learning style was auditory does this automatically link to poorer listening skills? Guessing this then makes it harder at the get go to develop my listening skills.  Blerk.