5 Ways to Revise Your Leadership Routines

Content

We all have routine ways of doing things, which can shape how we make decisions, develop relationships, and handle conflict at work. Understanding the innate code that influences how you think, feel, and act can improve your leadership. Here's how to do it.

We all have routine ways of doing things, which can shape how we make decisions, develop relationships, and handle conflict at work. Understanding the innate code that influences how you think, feel, and act can improve your leadership. Here's how to do it.

Content

1. Establish your default setting.

1. Establish your default setting.

Content

Think about how similar your childhood behavior is to how you act now. Do you still avoid arguments or sulk when you get things wrong? Are you always chatty with new people and seek praise from others? Knowing your default setting can help you decide what needs to change.

Think about how similar your childhood behavior is to how you act now. Do you still avoid arguments or sulk when you get things wrong? Are you always chatty with new people and seek praise from others? Knowing your default setting can help you decide what needs to change.

Content

2. Get feedback.

2. Get feedback.

Content

Ask trusted team members or colleagues about the small, habitual things they see you do that are characteristic of how you operate, such as phrases you say or how you express yourself. Reflect on which are and aren't helpful.

Ask trusted team members or colleagues about the small, habitual things they see you do that are characteristic of how you operate, such as phrases you say or how you express yourself. Reflect on which are and aren't helpful.

Content

3. Go outside your comfort zone.

3. Go outside your comfort zone.

Content

Think about from whom you usually seek input. Make a deliberate effort to ask someone you wouldn't normally. Use follow-up questions to ensure you understand why they think the way they do.

Think about from whom you usually seek input. Make a deliberate effort to ask someone you wouldn't normally. Use follow-up questions to ensure you understand why they think the way they do.

Content

4. Disrupt old routines.

4. Disrupt old routines.

Content

Identify simple actions—such as quietly saying a phrase to yourself—to prevent or interrupt old habits.

Identify simple actions—such as quietly saying a phrase to yourself—to prevent or interrupt old habits.

Content

5. Make a habit swap.

5. Make a habit swap.

Content

Replace your old habits with new, simple behaviors. Rather than having a big, vague objective, use a question to prompt more strategic thinking, such as "What's the long-term impact of this?"

Replace your old habits with new, simple behaviors. Rather than having a big, vague objective, use a question to prompt more strategic thinking, such as "What's the long-term impact of this?"