The Importance of Self-Control In Leadership
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
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
-
Habits of highly effective leaders
The habits of highly effective leaders We tend to be creatures of habit. Habits are automatized actions. We all tend to have habitual ways of doing things. Your habits allow you to do many complex things, without really thinking about them. Habits allow you to do things on "automatic pilot". You...
Read Article > -
Procrastination Causes Failure
Many people fail, not because of what they HAVE done, but rather, because of what they HAVEN'T done. Procrastination is a very common way to fail.
Read Article > -
Management Training Skills
Management Training Skills The role of manager is difficult to fill: Not only must you possess technical knowledge, consistent with the product and service that your organisation offers, but also you need to have additional personal skills relating to: The proper organisation of work, together with The ability to inspire the...
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 > -
How to Motivate People
Motivation is important because, in order to progress towards your goals, you need to take action.
Read Article >