Date: 11/30/2016

Title: LEADING AND LEARNING – Part 1

By Jennifer Erickson

As leaders, we have the opportunity to learn every day. We learn about our employees or team members, we learn a new skill, we learn how to stay in our areas of strengths and away from our blind spots, and we learn how to motivate people. But, do we learn from our mistakes?

Four paradigms govern the way we view situations. A paradigm is the mental filter through which we view situations. Our paradigms come from our parents and our experiences. Some people grow up being told “don’t trust anyone outside of our family.” And, “your family will always be here for you…no one else will.” A person who grows up with this may have trouble trusting others or telling someone he/she needs assistance.

There are four paradigms: fear, duty, achievement, and integrity. When in the fear paradigm, we think we are not OK. Life is scary. We don’t take risks. We deal with reality by escaping. So we drink too much, shop too much, exercise too much…..anything to excess, so we don’t have to face something.

While in the duty paradigm, we think we are OK….only when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. Life is tough and a hassle. We do what is expected of us. We probably don’t take risks. We deal with reality by enduring. How much longer is this meeting? (heavy sigh) When do I get to retire?

To learn more about how to practice this understanding, contact Results Group, LLC at www.ResultsGroupLLC.com or 515-330-2866.