By Diane Lazarowicz – Top Performance Results, LLC. As I work with leaders, we discuss Inner Driven Leadership based on best practices such as influence, vision, empowerment, and accountability. These are the measurable fundamentals of leadership that most leaders possess to varying degrees.
By developing these external skills, one can indeed become a better leader. However, what if the leadership development journey began by connecting those external leadership skills to what one thinks and feels on the inside? Would this internal connection enhance leadership development?
I believe so. Over the next three articles, we will explore Inner Driven Leadership and how connecting external leadership skills to one’s inner core can enrich the leadership experience. Each article will cover one of the three core competencies necessary to achieve Inner Driven Leadership:
- Personal Competence
- Social Competence
- Behavioral Competence
Today we begin with Personal Competence—the root of Inner Driven Leadership. Personal Competence includes the discovery of our Core Values, Personal Mission Statement, and Authenticity. This awareness sets the foundation for Inner Driven Leadership and defines who we are as individuals.
Let’s start with Core Values. Our Core Values define who we are and guide our decisions and behaviors. What are your Core Values? Have you ever taken the time to reflect on what lies at the center of your core? Today is the day to do just that. Take out a sheet of paper and write down all the values you hold dear.
Here are a few examples of Core Values named by leaders: Trust, Integrity, Service, Prosperity, Risk, Security, Family, Diversity, Dependability, Courage, Power, Loyalty, Harmony, Success, Teamwork, and Humor. Don’t feel limited by this list—there are many more.
There are no right or wrong answers. Write down the values that are most important to you.
If you’re struggling with this exercise, email me at info@TopPerformanceResults.com for a complete list of values.
Once your list is complete, narrow it down to your top ten values. Then reduce that list again to your Top Five Core Values. These five values define who you truly are.
Does your leadership style reflect these Top Five Core Values? If not, consider how you can blend them into your leadership approach to become more aligned and authentic.
Crafting Your Personal Mission Statement
Your Personal Mission Statement is a brief declaration that clarifies your purpose and highlights what is most important to you. This type of clarity can have a profound impact on your leadership development.
Ask yourself the following questions to begin creating your statement:
| Who am I? |
| What do I want to do? |
| Who do I want to help? |
| How will I help them? |
| How will it benefit the world? |
Here’s a simple example of a completed statement:
| Who am I? | Jane Doe |
| What do I want to do? | Prevent experimental testing on animals |
| Who do I want to help? | Animals |
| How will I help them? | Send signed petitions to Congress |
| How will it benefit the world? | Cruelty to animals will cease to exist |
Now reflect—are you surprised by what you wrote? Are you incorporating your Personal Mission Statement into your leadership style? If not, consider doing so.
Authenticity: The Final Element of Personal Competence
Authentic leaders are self-aware and ensure alignment between their Core Values and their Personal Mission. This alignment results in a unified leadership style.
For example, if honesty is one of your Core Values and you’re asked to lie on a report at work, you may feel great discomfort. That internal conflict is a signal of misalignment.
To be an authentic leader, your values, mission, and leadership behaviors must be in harmony. If something feels out of sync, take the time to realign.
Conclusion
Today we took the first step toward becoming Inner Driven Leaders. You identified your Top Five Core Values, crafted a Personal Mission Statement, and evaluated your authenticity as a leader. This is the foundation for building an impactful leadership journey from the inside out.
In the next article, we’ll explore the second core competency of Inner Driven Leadership: Social Competence. We’ll examine how leaders communicate, build relationships, and mentor effectively.
Next in this series: Read Part 2: Social Competence
Diane Lazarowicz is an award-winning executive coach and leadership expert who helps women trust their inner voice to achieve their goals through strong communication and leadership. Diane has 35+ years of business experience and is a Suma Cum Laude graduate of Robert Morris University. She is also a graduate of the Referral Institute and the Dale Carnegie Skills for Success program, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce.
Explore More:Continue the Inner Driven Leadership Series
