Great leaders:
✔ Embrace and invite conflict
✔ Give honest feedback
✔ Say “no” to things that don’t align with values and priorities
Leaders often struggle with these keys to success.
Why?
We were taught to “be nice”
Fighting with siblings?
“Be nice”
Speaking your truth?
“Be nice”
Not willing to share?
“Be nice”
The challenge is that “be nice” messaging creates passive thinking and behaviour, which gets in the way of doing the challenging things that leaders need to do.
There is a difference between being nice and being kind.
What we need is assertive thinking and behaviour – seeking to have your needs met while also respecting the needs of others.
Kindness involves being respectful to both yourself and the other person.
Will the team benefit from you challenging an idea and inviting a passionate discussion? Do it. Be kind.
Will the team and team member benefit from your honest feedback? Do it. Be kind.
Will your team’s stress level, motivation, and performance benefit from you saying “no” to something? Do it. Be kind.
Were you raised with “be nice” messaging? How has it impacted you?
Is there an area in your life today that might benefit from kindness rather than niceness?