Useful Takeaways From The Learning Leader Show
11 Years. 650 Episodes. Some things I've Learned...
Since I launched my podcast almost 11 years ago, I’ve kept a diary of things I’ve learned from interviewing more than 650 of the world’s most productive achievers. I’ve published a lot of those learnings in my books. Here are a few more…
1. WHO FIRST– Your life will be measurably better or worse based on WHO you’re with. Life can be a series of transactions, or you can build relationships. Transactions can give you short-term success, but great relationships make for a great life.
2. Have a bias for action – “We learn who we are in practice, not in theory” (Herminia Ibarra). The world is full of talkers. Be a doer.
3. Wake up early – It’s hard. Some days it sucks, and you don’t feel like it. Do it anyway. The people who put a dent in the world usually choose to do hard things.
4. Push your edges – Excellence happens as you expand your current zone of comfort and competency. Take the improv class, do the triathlon, and push beyond your current capabilities. That’s where you grow.
5. Interested > Interesting – Ask more questions than you answer. The opposite of judgment is curiosity. Lead with curiosity.
6. Move your body – You get one body. If it fails you, nothing else matters. Do whatever you can to take care of it. Push yourself physically. (Also: Never sit down in the weight room. Ever.)
7. Read books – For $20, you can peer inside the heart and soul of someone who dedicated their life to a topic. It’s the greatest bargain in history. I’ve yet to meet an excellent leader who doesn’t read a lot.
8. Lead with trust – You don’t have to earn it. You have it. I’ve found that giving trust before it’s earned attracts the type of people I want to be with.
9. Never waste an opportunity to be generous – Praise others, write thank you notes, and speak kindly behind someone’s back. Tell their loved ones how awesome they are. Be a good gift-giver. Giving is more enjoyable than receiving.
10. Be grateful – Leave people, places, and things better than you found them. (The Girl Scout Rule)
11. Be the hero, not the victim – Take ownership of your success and failure. Don’t blame others. Nobody wants to hang out with excuse-makers or complainers. In a world of lifters and leaners, be a lifter.
12. Value excellence – Set high standards for yourself… And work to consistently exceed them. Try to surround yourself with others who do the same.
13. Choose extra work – The minimum requirements are table stakes. Choose to do more. I’ve rarely met someone who leaves a dent in the world who doesn’t choose extra work. Extra work = passion (Brook Cupps)
14. Be easy to work with – Be responsive. Be proactive. Be kind. Think of what’s needed before it’s asked. Do it. Be the type of person that others want to work with. Make it easy on them.