Podcast 'Leadership starts with 'I go first!'' #8

🚀 Leadership begins with "I'm going first! 🚀

As a leader, you've probably dealt with employees who say 'yes' but end up doing 'no'. Perhaps they complain, communicate poorly, or avoid confrontation.

How do you respond to this? Are you stuck in a pattern of controlling or commanding? If this sounds familiar, it is time for a change with the leadership principle: 'I go first'.

The 'I go first' principle: the core of personal leadership

The 'I go first' principle is all about being proactive and taking responsibility for your own behaviour before expecting it from your team. Do you want your team to take responsibility? Then show it yourself. Whether it's clear communication or showing integrity: it starts with you as a leader. It goes beyond simply leading by example; you need to embody the values and behaviours you want to see within your team.

A key question you can ask yourself as a leader is: how can I act first to drive change?

Proactive leadership in action: be the change

Proactive leadership means anticipating and taking action, rather than waiting. It is often the small daily actions that encourage a culture of accountability.

During my own 72-hour Special Forces training, I learnt the importance of taking the lead myself. Not waiting for others, but taking the first step yourself. This principle completely changed my leadership and my team dynamics.

This ties in with the principle of 'connection before correction': connect with your team members first before addressing them on behaviour. If people feel heard and seen, they are more likely to be open to change.

Here are some concrete steps to put the 'I go first' principle into practice:

1. Be transparent and honest about your own mistakes and challenges. This will encourage your team to do the same.
2. Communicate actively and clearly, even when it is uncomfortable. Avoiding difficult conversations only creates more problems in the long run.
3. Take responsibility for your emotions and reactions. Show how you deal with stress and be open about your process.
4. Focus on solutions rather than problems. When a challenge comes up, focus your energy on what you can do to improve the situation instead of complaining or pointing at others.

What can you expect in this episode?

In the latest episode of my podcast, I discuss in detail how to put this 'I go first' principle into practice and what impact it has on your leadership and team dynamics. Here are some of the key topics we cover:

1. Introduction - What is 'I go first'?
   What it means as a leader to always take personal responsibility first and how this forms the basis for personal leadership.

2. Recognisable frustrations in the workplace
   What do you do when your team says 'yes' but does 'no'? How do you avoid getting stuck in a negative spiral of control and frustration?

3. The trap of rapid resolution
   We often think that problems should be solved immediately, but sometimes the real solution lies in patient proactive action.

4. How the leadership principle works
   Deeper insight into how the 'I go first' principle can transform your leadership style, based on my own experiences during a 72-hour special forces training course.

5. Example: dishes and the first step
   How even the smallest actions, such as clearing the dishes, can make a big difference in creating a culture of accountability.

6. Connection before correction
   How by connecting with your team members first, you can be much more effective in driving and improving behaviour.

7. Proactive leadership is key
   Discover why being proactive is the only way to develop sustainable and positive leadership.

👉 Listen to the latest episode now and find out how you can build a stronger bond with more peace and less control!

Leadership starts with you

Want to know more about how 'I go first' can take your team to the next level? Let's engage in a conversation and see what conscious leadership can do for you.

Plan immediately here set up an introductory meeting so we can get to know each other better. I will be happy to help you further on your way to discovering the leader in you!