The Importance of Self-Control In Leadership

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

The Importance of Self-Control in Leadership

Self-control is the foundation of leadership because in order to lead others, you must first learn to lead yourself.

Inside all of us there are three forces competing for control.

1. The force of your intellect, (rational mind).

2. The force of your emotions, (transient moods).

3. Basic Instincts, (fight or flight mechanisms).

What Makes a Good Leader?

Leaders are leaders because they are more mindful.

Leaders operate more on the level of their intellect.

Leaders are NOT so easily taken off track by transient moods.

Leaders are NOT taken off track by their basic instincts.

Leaders subordinate their mood and their basic instincts to their mind.

I call this 'running on reason', or 'mind over mood'.

Leaders are leaders because they don't necessarily do what they feel like doing.

They don't necessarily do what the majority urge them to do.

They don't necessarily do what would make them popular.

They do what is logically necessary to achieve the goal they have. Leaders are mindful.

Have you got what it takes to be a leader?

If you aspire to be a leader, then:

You must control your mood.

You must control your language.

You must control your bad habits.

You have to be able to work when you don't feel like working.

You have to be able to stand firm when you feel like quitting.

You sometimes have to restrain your enthusiasm and stop when you want to keep charging on.

Mind or Mood?

When there is a clash between what your mind says, and what your emotions say, who wins the battle - Mind or mood?

If your mind says, "Don't eat that ice cream. It has too many calories".

And your feelings say, "I really like ice cream. Go ahead. Make my day. Treat yourself".

Then, who wins that battle?

Would you follow the words of the mind, or the mood?

Leaders would follow the mind.

Non-leaders would follow their moods.

It is that simple.

Leadership Training - The Effective Leader Manager

Leadership Training - The Effective Leader Manager

As the team leader or manager, you know that, on the technical level, you are very good. In your role as an effective and inspirational leader-manager, you recognise that there may be some gaps. Now you are searching for a method to help you to improve your skills as a team-leader and manager - click here to find out more!

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Leadership and Management

• What is the difference between a leader and a manager
  What is the difference between a leader and a manager? People can become confused over this issue; what is the difference between a leader and a manager? There is a sense of uncertainty around the exact meaning of the concepts of "leadership" and "management". If you look up "leadership" in the...
  Read Article >
• Management leadership and personal development training
  Management leadership and personal development training What are the universal principles of personal achievement and personal development? Universal principles are true statements that apply at all times, in all places. As such, they are very handy to know because, in any situation, they offer a base of knowledge and a...
  Read Article >
• Effective Leadership
  Effective Leadership - leadership training What are the definitions, examples and qualities of effective leadership? Definition of leadership: A leader is person who is able to create and sustain a clear vision for a better future and who is able to communicate that vision so as to inspire others to act...
  Read Article >
• What are the six most important skills of leadership and management?
  What are the six most important skills of leadership and management? Assuming we are in business, then here is the question with which we are concerning ourselves: "How can you get the best from yourself and others?" The same question stated more personally reads: "How can I get the best performance...
  Read Article >
• How to Improve Productivity
  The more productive you are, the faster you will progress. Your productivity is a ratio of the value of your work, divided by the volume of your work. Concentrate on doing high value work.
  Read Article >