Willingness to Stretch - Module #2 - Lesson #2 Assignment

[mstjuste]

A. Ask



Refer to the assessment that you invited your colleagues to fill out. What were some areas where there were opportunities for your growth?

There were two areas that stood out when it came to opportunites for growth:





1 – Stepping out of hiding and comfort and sharing key communications with others without hesitation. I tend to shy away from giving constructive criticism. I usually let the direct report do it because there’s no risk in me provided feedback that backfires or doesn’t produce the results intended.


2 – Taking the Lead. I often shy away from the spotlight. I focus on processes that I know and position myself to support leadership without taking on a bigger role with more responsibility and accountability. It doesn’t matter that I have the capacity, I haven’t given myself the credibility because its taps into the Unknown...not knowing what the outcome will be if I take the lead.







How might the feedback you were given inform your stretch assignment work?





It shows that I need to be okay with taking initiative, taking the lead without knowing the outcome or every detail about the process, but having faith, trust that the work can/will be done with the team and resources that I have.




Please make a note of a few areas where you would like to improve based on your own assessment of your skills and those of your colleagues. Work with your mentor, and share your thoughts on the discussion board.




Taking the Lead and stepping out of my comfort zone. Having uncomfortable conversations to enroll and engage which I tend to avoid. It’s like being a salesperson but I have to be the salesperson who believes in the product so it doesn’t feel like a sell.





B. How might being vulnerable improve YOUR leadership?





Being Vulnerable makes me Emotionally Aware and Mindful of the impact my actions have when done, but also willingness to put myself out there because of the realization of what may happen if I don’t take action.




In what areas do you hold yourself back because of a fear? What will you do to overcome that fear?




I have held myself back from being seen, taking the lead, being held accountable or taking on the lead for something I don’t know the outcome or process for. Forget about it. Don’t want to touch it. Requires faith. Yet, I want to be able to take risks (calculated).




D. Check in with your mentor as you consider your stretch assignment. Post your stretch assignment on the board and describe how it will enhance your leadership.



My Stretch Assignment:

• I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and taking the lead on a project that will take me out from hiding.
• I’m working on a project that requires having communication, conversations that feel like I’m “selling” to engage, enroll and encourage participation and collaboration. I’m using this opportunity to change the “story” from “selling” to “connecting”, “winning”, and “transforming” others.
  
  
• I’m pushing myself to trust my instincts in an area that I have very little knowledge of.
  
  
  This is a stretch for me because I’m a bit linear in my approach to leadership. I must know all the details before diving in and taking the lead. It’s easy to drive an automatic. It’s easy to lead what is already spelled out for me. The challenge is when it’s NOT all spelled out and it's NOT as easily determined what the process will look like, what the outcome will be and how much control I have over it. The only control I have is my thinking, my communicating and my willingness to make necessary decisions that may or may not fail. It takes faith and willingness to go through trial and error (which I dread). In addition, this project has me being seen when I have been comfortable being the unseen force behind the scenes.
  
  
  
  This will help me be a leader who takes initiative when needed and will help me get unstuck from the “paralysis of analysis” when it comes to risk management and taking the lead. It will also help me give VALUE to MY VOICE. I often don’t feel it’s important enough or credible enough. I let my conversations about “Enough” get in the way of acting or leading. This is also in my personal life as well.
  
  
  
  I’m not comfortable with this one at all. Yet, it’s a bit exhilarating to think of who I will become when I do this.

[Shawn McCurley]

It is difficult to overcome these feelings. I appreciate you specifying the fact that you need to take "calculated" risks. This is essential for leaders to grow an organization and develop those around them. Operating within the lines is a management function, creating and establishing new lines is a leadership function.