Don’t give up on yourself.

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It’s a tough time to be a leader.  Pressure is coming at you from all angles.  You’re dealing with a highly complex communication environment, a workforce that’s hard to keep motivated and satisfied, a competitive landscape that is changing by the minute, and insatiable investor demands for immediate and ever-increasing returns.  No doubt, it can be daunting.

You might be thinking, maybe I’m not the right person for this job.  In fact, you’d be surprised how many leaders have dark moments of self-doubt.  As a leader, you know you must project confidence and conviction so you can inspire them in others.  But still, that nagging fear creeps into your psyche every now and then.

Before you throw in the towel, remember that you are in this position for a reason, and that people are counting on you to persevere in the tough times.  Your grit will set an example for others to follow.  Stay true to your deepest beliefs and the course you have set.  And, if you feel you need additional support, seek the advice of people you respect and consider engaging a coach.

You might be thinking, “No one taught me how to do this!”  And if you’re in the majority, you’re right.  But that doesn’t mean you don’t have the right stuff to succeed as a leader.

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February 2012: Is your heart in your work?

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To some, this may seem like a trivial question.  But it is the essential question you must answer – truthfully – to determine if you’re realizing your highest potential for success.

When your heart is in something, you’re engaged at a level so deep that you can hardly understand it.  It’s what gives you the energy to get up every morning and give your best to the world.  It’s what helps you persevere through the tough times.  It’s what makes work feel less like….work.

The word passion is so common these days, people throw it around like a football at a Superbowl game.  It’s a hot topic partly because many Baby Boomers ignored their hearts and went down roads that were less fulfilling but what they thought was expected of them.  Now in the autumn of their careers, they’re wondering what could have been.  Indeed, one of the most consistent pieces of advice found in the books and speeches of seasoned leaders is to find and honor your passion.

February is the month of the Valentine – the month of the heart.  It’s a good time to ask yourself, “Is my heart really in this?”  If the answer is no, step back and think about why, and what it will take for you to re-stoke the fire.