We’ve been talking a lot on here the last month about Energy Leadership and the importance of being a positive and balanced leader. Here’s something to keep in mind though: just because you’re a positive leader, doesn’t mean you are balanced. They are two very different characteristics.
Through our Energy Leadership journey, we looked over what makes a great “energy” leader, but what about balance? And what exactly is “balance”?
The official definition given by “The American Century Dictionary” says that balance is “stability of body or mind.” It is a noun. I suppose you could call it a concept, but I would argue it is a place. Being a balanced person is a place, it is a location. It is, for our purposes, a destination. What are the landmarks on the way…
1. A balanced leader has a strategy and vision.
When leaders make decisions that don’t match their personal and professional visions, they begin to make choices and decisions that are, in effect unbalanced. What happens is that a leader will make decisions that don’t match an expected vision and then months later; they start to follow the choices of the past, the ones that don’t fit the vision. And now you’re unbalanced. Additionally, the same thing happens to the team. They have no idea where they are going and they too become unbalanced.
2. A balanced leader has a set of values and all their decisions make up.
Continuing with the strategy and vision, a balanced leader has values. These are public and well-known to friends, colleagues and clients. Businesses have to make tough choices every day. They are choices of client load, time management, budgeting, public comments, and many more. Decisions must always match the values of the leader and the group members. When values don’t match up, there will never be a positively balanced team. Each member and each client must agree on the values of the partnership.
3. A balanced leader must acknowledge and accept they can’t have it all at the same time.
This definitely relates to having a set of values, but mostly having a vision for the team. As much as we might think, we can’t have it all. We all have limited amounts of time, money and energy to give the world. Having it all is more about understanding and believing in the vision than it is about actually having “everything.” A balanced leader knows what they want and what their dream is and works towards it, without sacrificing who they are.
Do you have a strategy and vision? Do you know your values? What does “have it all” mean to you?
More importantly, do you think you’re balanced today?
(flickr photo via pinksherbet)
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