Manager Musings - Investing In Yourself

What’s better than Monday of a new work week?  A couple of days of rest and relaxation behind us; nothing but limitless possibilities in front of us!

Ok, if you’ve made it through that cheeseball opening line, keep going – there’s a point!

As agile managers and leaders, we’re in the people-development business, and one of the most challenging people we are responsible for developing?  OURSELVES

Go ahead and take a look at your calendar quickly (but come back..)  I’d bet a cup of coffee that your Monday is STACKED from beginning to end with meetings. 

• Mission critical conversations. 
• Key milestone meetings. 
• 
  Discussions that if missed, will surely cause our beloved Wells Fargo to seize like an engine with no motor oil. 

I get it – there’s a lot for us to do!  And we DO value interactions over process!!!

I will argue though – there is immense value in carving out a few minutes a week to reflect and invest in yourself.   (Aren't we supposed to be leading by example anyway??)

• Read an article and think about how it applies to YOUR daily work life.  (Here’s a good one - The 7 Things You Must Give Up When You Become a Leader – if you’re lacking in material)
• Visit with a mentor, trusted friend or coach – talk about what you’ve observed in your team and in yourself over the last week.  EXPLORE what you’ve learned and how that makes a difference to yourself and our bank.
• Pause and THINK.  Reflect on a situation that happened recently that you were (or weren’t) proud of, and what can you learn from that situation.

You are already a group of awesome leaders – imagine how much MORE AWESOME (Effective, Efficient and Engaged) you can become if you invest a little bit of time in yourselves each week.

So go for it – carve out some time in that hideous calendar, and invest in yourself.  You’ll be amazed at how much better your TEAM becomes in the long haul!

We all win together.