Recently, I viewed an extremely powerful video on Facebook showing two Navy SEAL veterans talking about what limiting factors determine whether an individual is a good leader or not. The video is a little over two minutes long, check it out here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sqr-Ksn8Lg&w=640&h=360]
So what do these longtime SEALs say about what qualities make a strong leader? Mental toughness? Physical ability or stamina? Nope. Not even close.
They say the key elements preventing true leadership are a lack of humility, inability to own up to your mistakes, and failure to accept criticism. When you see two Navy SEALs, hard as nails, professionally discussing these issues, it really brings home how important it is to be grounded. Navy SEALs are dealing with life and death situations; the crisis we face in the business world is not at the same level. But, if SEALs know how important it is to be grounded, shouldn’t we examine ourselves to see if being grounded would enhance our own leadership skills in the business world?
I have distilled three Grounded In traits that I believe enable us to be better strategic leaders and make better decisions, particularly in a crisis. They are:
– Calm Focus
– Thoughtful Response
– Regard for Others
Consider this: we do not inherently have these three positive anchor traits. They need to be cultivated. Like a SEAL boot camp instructor overseeing the growth of would-be SEALs, we must enhance the good things that are necessary for these traits to grow and exhibit in us, especially when there are figurative bombs going off around us. And, just as a boot camp instructor punishes exhibitions of bad behavior or training, we must work to restrict behaviors or thoughts that would limit the effectiveness of our three positive anchors.
Ask yourself these questions: Can you admit a fault? Can you accept someone who has no reason to harm you offering constructive criticism? Can you set your dominating ego aside and focus on what will serve others before yourself? Be rigorously introspective on these questions.
If you find yourself answering “No” to these questions, or you find that your words, attitude, or behavior turns you away from exhibiting the three Grounded In traits, I urge you to make a focused decision to change. No one wants a boss, co-worker, subordinate, or even friend that exhibits little groundedness.