Sharing the Journey: Leadership Through Discipline, Consistency, and Persistence
"The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example." – John Wooden
Leadership is a Shared Experience
When I was leading an executive suites rental business, we had a team dedicated to maintaining and turning over our suites. In our industry, turnover, customer service, cleanliness, and maintenance are critical components. This meant that we had to respond quickly and be ready to step in wherever needed.
As President & CEO, I was often in the trenches with my team—sometimes literally with a plunger in hand—ensuring our customers were taken care of. This hands-on approach wasn't about having all the answers, but about the shared experience with my team. It was through this shared experience that I expanded my understanding about the importance of discipline, consistency, and persistence in leadership.
Leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about being in the trenches with your team, sharing the journey, and learning from each other’s struggles and triumphs. I don’t share my experiences because I believe I know everything; far from it! I share because we are all in this together. Reflecting on our own journey through the highs and lows, three principles consistently stood out as my guiding lights: discipline, consistency, and persistence.
The Power of Sharing
First and foremost, let me clear one thing up: I share because I’m in it with you all, not because I believe I have all the answers. We are born to share and learn from the struggles and triumphs of others. This shared journey creates a sense of camaraderie and mutual support, essential for true leadership. By being open about our experiences, we build a foundation of trust and inspire others to push through their own challenges.
Discipline: The Bedrock of Progress
Reflecting on my journey, discipline has been a key factor in getting me through tough times. Discipline is what keeps me doing the things I know I need to do, even when I’m not motivated. Here’s how discipline plays a crucial role in effective leadership:
Routine Adherence: Establishing and sticking to routines provides structure and predictability, helping the team maintain focus and productivity.
Leading by Example: Leaders who demonstrate discipline inspire their teams to adopt similar habits, fostering a culture of perseverance and resilience.
Consistency Over Intensity
While bursts of intensity can lead to short-term successes, it is consistency that drives long-term achievements. Consistency in routines, values, and standards ensures steady progress and reliability. Here’s why consistency matters:
Building Trust: Consistency in actions and decisions builds trust within the team and gives you confidence credits so you can further trust yourself. Your team witnesses your actions and knows what to expect and can rely on their leader’s steadiness.
Fostering Reliability: A consistent approach to challenges and opportunities helps in creating a dependable and efficient team dynamic.
Persistence: The Path to Success
Persistence is the only difference between winning and losing. We can’t lose if we don’t quit. This isn’t about refusing to pivot or shift focus when necessary; it’s about never quitting on yourself or on life. Your greatest achievements will often follow several “failures”. Without failure there is no story.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset: Leaders who persist inspire their teams to view failures as learning opportunities rather than dead-ends.
Adaptability and Resilience: Persistence doesn’t mean rigidly sticking to a plan; it means being willing to pivot and adapt while maintaining the overall commitment to success.
Closing Thoughts
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." – Phil Jackson
As we navigate our journeys, let’s remember that we are stronger together. Sharing our experiences, maintaining discipline, staying consistent, and persisting through challenges are key to effective leadership and personal growth. These principles have been my anchor, and I hope they can be yours too.
I hope you all have an awesome week! ❤️
