Self Proficiency

Dave Olson Ulrich, author of “The Leadership Code: Five Rules to Lead By,” has been ranked as the #1 management educator and guru by NewsWeek magazine. He touches on some of the points I have covered earlier in the blog.

In a recent Harvard Business Ideacast, Dave talks about 5 key proficiencies of a leader or manager. Listening to his advice, I realize that these qualities not only apply to leaders, but also to all professionals regardless of the type of work we do or position we hold in our organizations. I also realize this applies to those looking to make a transition or already in the process of changing jobs or careers.

According to Dave, as your job pressures increase and the business world gets even tougher, especially now, it is essential that we work to improve our self proficiency with focus on 5 areas. Here they are briefly:

1.Physical: Take care of yourself! Watch your nutrition, exercise and get enough sleep. Feel better.

2.Social: Build a network of friends or professional contracts, people you can rely on. Have a best friend at work (and of course outside work as well). It’s not just about you and your job.

3. Emotional: Know your strengths and weaknesses, what motivates you or drives you. Be willing to work on weak areas, keep and further grow key skills.

4.Intellectual: Develop your capacity to learn. Be curious about the world. Analyze what has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t. Get better.

5.Spiritual: Find meaning in your work, your mission or purpose in life. This is not necessarily about religion (could be if you practice a religion), but spirituality and the intangible, the bigger picture.

Any thoughts? I will leave it here and just invite you to think about what you are doing to improve in each of these areas.