Did you know that when we see something we view it as upside down and our brains flip the images right side up? How often do we see ourselves through a distorted lens?
Personal Mastery is the discipline of personal growth and learning. Peter Senge said, “organizations learn only through individuals who learn.” The driving force behind any business is the people.
Personal Mastery is an essential leadership skill. That goes beyond competence and skills. Personal Mastery is continually expanding your ability to create the results in life you truly seek.
Recently I shared with someone that it takes 10,000 hours in the same position gives you the skills of an expert. That equates to 5 years of on-the-job training. Too often, we devalue ourselves and do not count the years at the same job as valuable.
Personal Mastery is a process. It is working towards a vision that aligns with your values, a continual state of learning. We all want to provide for our families, and to live a healthy, productive life. These are goals, not a vision. Goals are the steps that lead you toward your vision. For example, if you want a healthy life, what are you doing to take care of your body? Are you eating right? Do your exercise? Or do you merely wish it? Goals require actions. Personal vision comes from within. It is your “Why”. What gets you up each morning? Too often we confuse wanting a better job, wealthy or to have your company be profitable. These are the means, but not the vision.
To lead others, you have to be able to lead yourself.
Characteristics of personal Mastery:
- A Special sense of purpose lies behind their vision and goals. Continue to clarify what is essential. See your current reality as an opportunity and not an enemy.
- Understanding that the vision is the final destination and that the goals are the steps to get there.
- Deeply inquisitive
- Continuous learning mode, understanding that you will never reach the end of learning.
- People with Self-mastery are open-minded, explore, and examine situations from multiple angles.
- Feel connected to others and life itself.
- Empathy not only to others but to yourself.
- Being connected to yourself includes being aware of your strengths and incompetency and seeing them as growth opportunities.
- When people genuinely care, they are committed, full of energy and enthusiasm, and persevere through the challenges.
- Sacrifice none of their uniqueness.
- Do not apologize for being you. There is only one of you. Everyone has their own experiences, skills, and strengths, which makes you authentic.
Leadership skill development is a perishable skill. Personal Mastery is a process – a lifelong discipline, and it is about focusing and refocusing on what truly wants, on your visions.
By Cheryl Viola, Executive Director, MBA