Developmental Playgrounds

Written by Michelle Hammond
Photo by Gaddafi Rusli

In our 3 part series on goal setting, we discussed the importance of approach goals, implementation intentions, and coping plans. Today I want to talk about the areas of your life in which you plan to implement them.

Leader development is personal development.  As we grow in self-awareness, self-control, adaptability, self-confidence, and personal responsibility, we become better leaders and better people. That’s great news as the pay-offs of our hard work can be experienced in all aspects of life. 

We have written on the benefits of taking a multi-domain approach to our own development and some of the ways our family life benefits our working lives.  I’d like you to think for a moment about what you want to work on and how you can use the various aspects of life as a “developmental playground” in which you can practice as you progress towards your goals.  As leadership is about relationships, we can often practice in other relationships.

• How might making progress on a goal to be present in the moment look similarly while mentoring colleagues, listening to a friend describe a tough day, or coaching a kids sport team through a winning season?

 

• How might we work on being less emotionally reactive to news of a declined deal or delayed deadline at work, a child presenting a bad grade, or even stubbing your toe?

 

• What would it look like to be more adaptable to changes at work, family issues that throw your plans, and unexpected bills that interfere with your saving goals?
  

While the payoffs can be great and our own development can be accelerated, I need to say: This isn’t easy. This is hard work and sometimes the dynamics of some areas of life make it even more challenging. Perhaps the obstacles and associated coping plans look different in different domains. We need to celebrate small wins and not let setbacks get us down.