A year ago, when I was preparing an English lesson for my students – managers, I came across 10 TOP resolutions for leaders in 2020 from Sally Percy. I let them guide me and in 2020 I managed to publish my third book, which I gave the title "9 principles of modern man Learn lead!", succeed with two international Erasmus+ projects, guide my team through a deep crisis and put together a team of fair and hard-working entrepreneurs in Slovakia, with whom we clearly embarked on the path of joint development. In this article, I offer you the top 12 links for new leaders in 2021.
As one of the leaders who chose Sala Percy's 10 Top Resolutions for Leaders in 2020, I decided to develop them into 12 modern resolutions for new leaders in 2021. I linked them to the message contained in my book "The 9 Principles of Modern Man Learn and Lead!", which can provide you with a rope in the moments when you have to cross a gorge and the risk of doing so will seem insurmountable. It is worth going after the voice of your heart. It is worth fighting for yourself and your dreams. It is worth being yourself and being aware of your influence on this world.
I would also like to dedicate them to the memory of my leader in the world of language learning, one of my greatest friends, a soul mate and a true legend in the world of English language learning, Jim Wright, the former director of Pilgrims teacher training, who wrote in his last FB post: "Remember, friends, the things that happen to you may leave scars in you, but they don't have to define you." But one of his best tips he ever gave me in his lifetime was in an interview for my book I CHOOSE because it's my life:
"We all have the ability and the right to choose how we feel! We often forget this and often think that the things that happen to us are not our choices and therefore we lose control over them. But we can CHOOSE how we feel about them. Here's one example – when I was diagnosed with my kidney disease – of course I would never choose it – so it would be easy to say that it wasn't my choice and so I have no power over it. Nevertheless, I CAN choose to feel great and live with her and with what is happening to my body. I choose how I feel, not my illness! That's why it's me who fully decides how I FEEL in my life. I always say that if you DO NOT choose how you want to live your life, something less pleasant will choose you!"
Thank you, Jim! May we live and feel THIS and THE WAY we choose in 2021!
1. Illustrate your goal
"Choose and write down what is fundamental to you in the long run. Your "goldfish" is that big step that you intend to take for a long time, but you have respect for it. This fundamental must come first," says Juraj Málik in his management diary Goldfish.
I bought this diary last year and followed the 10 Top Resolutions for Leaders in 2020 by Sala Percy, in which she suggests that we create a vision of our life and think about the goals we want to achieve in it. "A clear focus on the goal is the first step towards achieving it. If you clearly imagine what you want to achieve, create a picture of it and feel the joy and reward associated with achieving it for yourself and others, you are much more likely to achieve it," says Patricia Peyton, author of Physical Intelligence and director of the Companies in Motion training center.
If you decide to use the 9 principles of modern man Learn and lead! in your life in 2021, clarify in advance your personal values and the pillars in which you will anchor yourself and that will help you cope with any obstacle on the way.
Life is born in imagination, and the energy of a person's attention, his perseverance, dedication and courage help him to realize dreams into reality. Now is the time to take a step forward. Imagine that anything is possible in the world.
· What does your life look like in this vision?
· What do you dedicate your time to in this vision?
· Who do you work for in this vision?
· Who benefits from your work in this vision?
· What do you want to leave behind in this vision?
· Can you draw this idea?
· How do you feel about this idea?
· What other questions do you have in mind now? Write them down and answer them.
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Juraj Málik also suggests that we sort the most important priorities from 1 to 12. "Think about the activities, actions and results that will be of most interest to you. Be specific – determine the order of importance."
This vision, enriched with priorities for 2021, will guide you throughout your life, and every single decision along the way you will do so in accordance with it. This step will create the context for you to implement the 9 principles of modern man Learn and Lead!.
2. Have the strength to accomplish the impossible
When something stands in your way, don't be afraid to deal with it. Do what you feel and perceive is right. BE BOLD (1st Learn & Lead Principle).
"The power that brought you to the current prominent position and responsibility of a leader—that strength is the source of your past success—today stops you from realizing the impossible in your life and in your work. The path to a new force is to completely and deliberately 'rediscover' yourself: to take the risk of losing the success that you have become impossible to realize in order to activate the force," says Tracy Goss, author of The Last Word on Power.
When I read this text in 2012, I could not fully understand it. Today, after a few years and the discovery of the "Learn&Lead Discovery Island", I can easily agree with its content. The only way forward for successful leaders is to reinvent themselves and thus elevate their existence in this world to a new level.
It is also important to understand Winston Churchill's message, in which he says: 'It takes courage to stand up and talk, but it also takes courage to sit down and listen'.
How could you become a fasilitator of the process for which you are ultimately responsible? How could you lead your team to teach them to take responsibility while enjoying every single step along the way? As if you could support and encourage every individual on your team to start using the 9 principles of modern man Learn and lead! Then, how do you create a set vision together that will bring joy and pleasure to each of you?
3. Count on every single person
Do not hesitate, because the sooner you get into it, the more chances you have of succeeding. BE ACTION/- Á(2nd principle of Learn & Lead).
Start and treat yourself with respect and dignity. May all your days be filled with compassion, vitality and care for the people around you – members of your family, friends, colleagues – whatever position they are in, as well as for every other person you come into contact with during the day. "Be the change you want to see in the world," suggests Mahatma Gandhi. Don't waste a single minute of your life just because someone hasn't told you what to do. Do what matters to you and see what happens.
Juraj Málik, a successful entrepreneur and author of the book You will find a draw for success in your hand, gives us advice on how to be more human and focus on people at work: "When I have a meeting with someone, I sit down comfortably, calm my mind and focus on the person. The goal is to better understand, understand, feel. But also to ask supplementary questions and encourage the person concerned to do the right thing. It's also a great adventure to discover the magic of this man (he certainly has it)."
But how can you develop it even further? Approach each person individually, make sure that you take the time to get to know their desires, needs and talents. Become a leader who cares about others and understands the true value of people. Take the time and give them support as they struggle with a difficult time in their lives. Be the one they trust and wish to follow, as they will perceive that you really care about them as someone who has the ability to feel, think, learn, and want to leave a testimony behind.
4. Improve work experience for others
Your initiative may arouse interest among like-minded people. You can do a lot on your own, but much more by working together. BE TEAM (3rd Learn& Lead Principle).
As stated in Sala Percy's 10 Top Resolutions for Leaders in 2020: "Every leader should figure out how to dramatically improve modern work experiences so that people do their best and enjoy every second of it," says Chris Dyer, performance expert, speaker, and author of The Power of Company Culture.
Based on this, I firmly believe that a person-centred approach, one of the pillars of Learn & Lead innovation, will guide us towards new business opportunities and the happiness of all stakeholders. Make sure you focus on "creating system intelligence in your company that allows you to develop leadership in anyone," says Adrian Underhill, a sought-after speaker, editor of the Macmillan Books for Teachers series, author of Sound Foundations: Learning and Teaching Pronunciation, and consultant on the creation of the new Macmillan English Dictionary.
5. Connect with yourself
In the maze of possible solutions, listen to your heart. And remember that you need to trust your intuition. BE INTUITIVE/- A (4th principle of Learn & Lead).
"He who looks outside dreams. The one who looks inside wakes up," says Carl Gustav Jung. It is high time you reconnected with your inner world before connecting with others. It is essential that you listen to your own inner voice during your key decision-making.
Intuition is defined as the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning. The 21st century invites us to open ourselves to this innate ability of each person and thus succeed in things where we have never done it before. After you have courageously embarked on a new life path, a small team of like-minded people may gradually begin to form around you, who will join you along the way. When you listen to your mind and follow your heart (intuition), you will experience new realities in 2021.
6. Trust others
Maybe not everything will go as soon as you would imagine. If you encounter obstacles, slow down and listen. BE OPEN (5th Learn & Lead Principle).
"In times of fake news, profound lies, data breaches and unfair use of personal data, trust and transparency will become increasingly important and valuable ... Brands that want to survive will need to prove that they handle our behavioral, context, and emotional data correctly," says Professor Steven Van Belleghem, customer focus expert in the digital world and author of Customer The Day After Tomorrow in Saly Percy's 10 Top Resolutions for Leaders in 2020.
When we apply this approach to the learning environment, we must learn to trust our team and let them develop the potential of our children. The environment in schools must be changed to inspire both the teaching staff itself and their children to explore the world around them. "Today we are educating pupils for the future in schools from the past," says Professor Gabriela Lojová from Comenius University in Bratislava and also author of the book Let's teach a foreign language more effectively: A pupil-centred approach. It encourages teachers to become fasilitators, who make it possible to develop the educational process in the classroom and personalize their curriculum, regardless of what subject they teach. Teachers need to show their genuine concern for the needs of their pupils/students and reach out to them with respect and love.
"How can you allow your team to grow and become competent in an organization that promotes self-development? How can a manager become a teacher and inspire others to learn from each other? For a manager, trust is crucial in the process of transforming the work environment," says Valerie Demange, HR Manager at PSA Groupe Slovakia.
7. Be the owner of your time and use it wisely
When you're tempted to give up, remember the reason you started. Persevere in moments where others would have already given up. BE PERSISTENT (6th Learn & Lead Principle).
"I have the tools to survive and to be close to others, to be productive, to find meaning and order in a world of people and things outside of me," offers Virginia Satir, an American psychologist, in her poem Self-Esteem.
First, make sure you can name the tools to manage your life that nourish your perseverance and help you get closer to a state of being where you feel appreciated. Value the time you have and choose your activities wisely.
What helps you cope with difficult tasks on a daily basis? What would happen if you simply let go of all your setbacks that hold you back and prevent you from moving forward? What feelings do these thoughts bring you? How could you help yourself in activating your creative potential?
Curiosity and creativity are superpowers in the workplace in the 21st century. In this time of digital transformation, it's easy to think that technology is the key to efficiency, but start to realize what's helping you save time and what's taking it away from you. Build your digital mindfulness instinct, start being aware and understand your time you spend online, and take control of your digital mental well-being. Building a positive digital identity is an essential part of finding a way to handle time wisely and productively in 2021," says Vicki Plant, online. Trainer, coach and leader.
8. Direct your emotions in the right direction
"No matter what leaders decide to do — whether it's creating a strategy or mobilising a team for action – their success depends on how they do it. Even if they do everything else right, if leaders don't master this fundamental task of directing their emotions in the right direction, nothing will work as well as it should," says Daniel Goleman, a sought-after speaker and author of The New Leaders: Transforming the Art of Leadership.
Emotions govern our actions, and it is high time to learn to understand what they communicate to us. They are an invisible part of the transformation process that we are all part of today.
To transform the world, we must first transform ourselves. We will have to engage in "radical collaboration", as James Tamm puts it, to move away from competition and take on the challenge of integrating systems that will affect our collective resources (James Tamm, Radical Collaboration. Harper Collins, 2005).
The potential of the 9 principles of modern man Learn and lead! It is based on the fact that it can help leaders to become part of their team and guide them throughout the process of creating a better and more valuable reality.
9. Learn more about the way you and others learn
Perhaps your journey is full of surprises that teach you to get to know yourself, others and the world. You may still have a lot to learn and you need time. BE PATIENT (7th Learn & Lead principle).
The theory of multiple intelligence, according to Howard Gardner, talks about the fact that we are all intelligent, it is only necessary to find how intelligent we are. In order to develop a new leader, it is necessary for you to develop your interpersonal intelligence, which Gardner describes as "a highly developed form of this intelligence can be found in religious or political leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, in skilled parents and teachers, in individuals who work in professions such as therapists, counselors or shamans. For this type of intelligence, the key is the ability to listen to what a person is actually telling you (as opposed to how you may perceive it distortedly), develop a good relationship with that person, and be prepared to practice negotiation and persuasion."
Why not consider taking part in training for teachers who are developing the skills needed for the 21st century? How could you benefit from participating in training with the people who shape our next generation? How can we learn and develop together for the needs of today's society?
10. Appreciate every single morning
Your life is a gift, and your presence in this world has a purpose. Thank you for every new morning that gives you the chance to be and create. BE GRATEFUL (8th Learn & Lead Principle).
To achieve success, it is necessary that your vision is clear. Every day you have the opportunity to get closer to your mental image that drives you forward. "Clarity is a source of authentic leadership and high performance. It allows us to be present in the moment and have a joyful experience of life. The perception of the meaning of life, direction and entrepreneurial spirit are a natural part of people with a clear head. Also happiness, freedom, safety, love, security and peace of mind," says Jamie Smart, author of The Little Book of Clarity.
Jamie Smart further explains, "Clarity equals capacity minus pollution". Take the time to find out what this pollution means. "Just as factory workers need to keep their tools clean and well-oiled, so must knowledge workers, coaches, creatives, managers and leaders take care of their minds."
By practicing the 8th principle of Learn & Lead every day, you will be able to feel more at ease and be happier. It is the quality of a new leader with which he lives every day.
11. Redistribute powers in your organization
You have the right to love, joy and life on your own terms!! ... And remember, it's YOUR LIFE. VER SI AND ACT! (9. Learn & Lead principle)
As Sally Percy states in the 10 Top Resolutions for Leaders in 2020: "Many organizations are moving towards a flat structure where there is no room for the command and control style that is often strengthened in organizations with a hierarchical structure," says Antoinette Dale Henderson, leadership expert and author of Power Up: The smartwoman's guide to unleashing her potential."
It's about US, rather than ME or YOU. It was never just about YOU. The higher he is in the hierarchy, the more power and influence this person has. All the more so, these people should be bolder and more assertive in 2021 to move towards a new culture of their society – a culture where people are at the centre. "Take care of your people and your people will take care of your results."
12. Use your power responsibly
Why leaders in 2021 should consider applying the 9 principles of modern man Learn and Lead! in their companies and schools? Simply because IT IS UP TO EVERY PERSON TO MATTER. You need to handle the power in your hands wisely and attentively so that every night you go to bed, you feel good about yourself. If not, you always have another day ahead of you when you will have a new chance to become the kind of leader you would like for your children.
More than ever, at a time when we are facing together one of the greatest crises of our time – the Corona crisis, it is necessary to emphasise humanity itself.
Dr. José R. Hernandez, corporate crisis expert and author of Broken Business: Seven Steps to Reform Good Companies Gone Bad predicted in Sally Percy's 10 Top Resolutions for Leaders in 2020: "Leaders need to use the power and privileges given to them to profitably solve the problems of people and the planet." This message is also needed in 2021 – a year when we need to elevate ourselves much more and become more human, respectful and responsible towards ourselves.
So, are you ready to learn, test and implement the message contained in the 9 principles of modern man Learn and lead!? If so, let me summarise them here:
When something stands in your way, don't be afraid to deal with it. Do what you feel and perceive is right. BE BOLD. Don't hesitate, because the sooner you get started, the more chances you have of succeeding. BE ACTIONABLE. Your initiative may arouse interest among like-minded people. You can do a lot on your own, but much more by working together. BE A TEAM(S) In the maze of possible solutions, listen to your heart. And remember that you need to trust your intuition. BE INTUITIVE AND MAYBE NOT EVERYTHING WILL GO RIGHT AS YOU WOULD IMAGINE. If you encounter obstacles, slow down and listen. BE OPEN. When you're tempted to give up, remember the reason you started. Persevere in moments where others would have already given up. BE PERSISTENT. Perhaps your journey is full of surprises that teach you to get to know yourself, others and the world. You may still have a lot to learn and you need time. Your life is a gift, and your presence in this world has a purpose. Thank you for every new morning that gives you the chance to be and create. BE GRATEFUL. You have the right to love, joy and life on your own terms. !... And remember that it's YOUR LIFE. VER SI AND ACT!
Thank you for your attention and I wish you good luck in 2021!
With love,
Jana Chynoradská
