As a leader, you have developed ideas as to what works and what doesn’t work. You have a bias as to what you believe. Question is, does your current bias serve you well?

We have all heard the old axiom ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it’. While it is true that a well-oiled machine should not be tinkered with to the point where it loses its value, every machine or process must be fine tuned occasionally.

There are some management guru’s who stress that change is the essence for future growth. Change is good! But change for the sake of change is not so good if it does not contribute to improving the performance of the process already in place.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a leader as someone who directs the operations, activity and performance of others. It also defines a leader as someone being at the head of the line.

In your role, do the people who count on your leadership perceive you as the one who directs the operations, activity and performance of others? If the answer is yes, then it is incumbent upon you to occasionally put your biases aside and look at ways on how to improve your processes. Your customers, employees, family and friends count on you to do this.

Anyone who looks up to you as a leader demands that you be open to new ideas on how best to achieve the results they are looking for. That involves change and an evolution of growth on your part. Don’t let your biases get in the way of your growth. For if it does, you are not the only one affected by it. If your biases do get in your way, you lose the right to be a leader.

THE BOTTOM LINE

1. Change for the sake of change is wrong!

2. Biases preventing openness to change is a leader’s prescription for failure!

3. Leadership involves directing and supporting others through an evolution of growth!