Would More Confidence Help You Lead? The first time I got fired…
The First Time I Got Fired
One of my first summer jobs in high school was working on a concrete forming crew. It was grueling, sometimes dangerous work setting up heavy oil-soaked panels in the hot sun, but I kind of liked it. I took pride in building the forms straight, strong, and true.
Being quite young, I didn’t know much about leading people.
My boss was one of the partners and he was always in a big rush. He had a furious temper and would unleash a stream of expletives at the slightest provocation. On top of that, he had a pronounced stutter which only got worse as his emotions flared.
One time he and I were working together setting up big panels on a windy day. It was a struggle as wind gusts kept pushing over the panels.
Even back then I had a problem-solving, “make it better“ mindset.
I tactfully suggested that if we slowed down a bit and set up bracing as we went, it would prevent the blow-overs.
He declined, and we forged ahead with the setup as if going harder would solve the problem. The second time the whole wall blew over, he cut loose with the predictable torrent of non-stop cussing.
I stifled a snicker.
By the third time it blew over, the absurdity of the situation overcame me, and I started laughing. Couldn’t stop.
Beside himself with rage, he turned purple and cut loose with a tirade of unfiltered, stuttering wrath.
Only this time it was aimed at me.
His crescendo ended with him screaming “you’re f-ff-f-f- ff f-f fired! *
Confidence Can Be Taught
Since then, I’ve been on the receiving end of a few firings. In retrospect, it was always for the better.
Each time it was a learning experience that matured me, made me smarter, and grew my self-confidence.
Since those days, I’ve gained even more confidence in accurately reading situations, and working with all kinds of people, in all kinds of situations.
Let’s face it. As leaders in this mid- pandemic era, we could all use an extra shot of realistic confidence.
Gaining confidence in leadership is a learned process.
The same goes for competence.
In fact, confidence and competence go hand in hand.
Join me for LeaderLab, a 6-week online learning experience beginning on October 5.
It contains straightforward and practical ideas on how to build your own confidence and competence as a leader and how to strengthen and develop your efforts going forward.
This training comes from decades of earned experience paired with lessons the wisdom of others.
This is immediately applicable to you, no matter if you lead a team of hundreds, or only yourself.
“My personal mission is to offer you the tools, programs, and strategies to enhance your leadership competence and confidence” LE
Peek at the agenda and see if it resonates.
The Agenda
• Working with Yourself
• How the COVID Era has Changed Leadership
• Leading When You’re Not In Charge
• Leading and Managing Change
• Making Tough Decisions
• Working Effectively in Teams
• Understanding & Improving Systems
• Thinking Critically (Without being Critical)
• How People Think/Organizational Culture
• Effective Communication/The Feedback Loop
Features Include
• Six weekly sessions live group learning sessions via Zoom (recorded)
• Email and phone support with scheduled check-ins
• Two 30 minute 1-1 personal coaching sessions with Lorne.
(ICF Certified Leadership Coach)
• Highly interactive co-creating approach.
• Course materials adapted to your specific needs.
• Weekly sessions begin Monday evenings October 5 through November 2
• Start time 6:30 pm Pacific Time
• Each session 60 -90 minutes in length with lots of time for Q &A
. My results-oriented guarantee
Space is limited to10 participants and spots are beginning to fill, so if you’re thinking about it, or have further questions let me know.
Web Link for LeaderLab
Until next time,
Lorne
*PS I was invited back to work one week later, but by then I had found something else.
