Habitudes - Funhouse Mirror
This Photo by Jeremy Brooks is licensed under CC BY-NC
The Fulling Management & Accounting team has started watching a new video series! Every week in our staff meetings, we watch a culture & leadership video to aid in our professional and personal development. The series we’re watching now is by Dr. Tim Elmore and is based on his book Habitudes - The Art of Self-Leadership. Follow along as we learn about self-leadership.
Have you seen yourself in a funhouse mirror before? It distorts how you look, often making you look hilariously different than you normally do. Dr. Tim Elmore says that, sadly, the funhouse mirror is a symbol of a great temptation that leaders face. “Leaders face the temptation to project a false image of themselves.” He shares a story of a college student that lied about his past in order to win a student government election. He realized that he lost the trust of his closest friends and that no one really knew who he was.
“Leadership can be intimidating. Most of us feel that we don’t measure up,” says Elmore, “When we feel inadequate, we often become inauthentic.” But don’t be disheartened - take the step toward authenticity! The key to influencing others is starting with authenticity.
The Fulling team has found that as we get older, it’s easier to be ourselves and feel confident in who we are. It’s important to stay true to yourself and be upfront and honest.
It’s also important to not over-promise or under-deliver. If we don’t know the answer to something our client asks we will put a pin in it, do some research and get back to them with a good answer. If we do initially respond and later find that we were incorrect we make it a point to own up to our mistake if we misspoke and correct it.
Food for thought…
Have you ever pretended to be someone you are not?
Have you ever pretended to know something that you didn’t?
If so, what were the consequences?
What are some areas in business that can challenge you to be authentic?