Leadership Tip

How to change your bad habits

Every one of us has a career-limiting bad habit. Whether it’s weak interpersonal skills, a tendency to procrastinate, or good-but-not-great technical prowess, one of the biggest impediments to our upward mobility is a habit we can’t get rid of. But a few small changes can help:

  1. Manipulate distance. Keep bad influences far away and bring good things closer. For example, if you want to read more technical journals, put them in your newsfeed.
     
  2. Change your friends. Spend time with people who support good behaviours. If you want to cultivate a positive attitude, have lunch with others who have one.
     
  3. Schedule yourself. You’re far more likely to spend time working toward a goal if you block out time for it on your calendar.
     
  4. See your choices positively. If you’re resisting an uncomfortable but necessary conversation, don’t think, “I’ve got to go deal with this mess.” Think, “Why do I want to have this conversation?”

The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme and adapted from Trick Yourself into Breaking a Bad Habit by Joseph Grenny. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary webinar or contact us.

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