Recently I found an old note book that I had lost track of, it was from a leadership course that I was sent to through work. I was equally nervous to see what was in the notebook, as well as happy to have discovered it. So, I poured myself a cup of tea and got the big fuzzy blanket out to take a stroll down memory lane.
On page one, I read this very question, How do people experience you? I remember thinking it was such as interesting way of asking, not what do people “think” of you as a leader, but the work experience had me intrigued.
When I look up the work experience it states, “practical knowledge, skill, or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity”. So, in the context of this exercise, it is based on facts (direct interactions) verses, feelings (who they think I am).
In what I’ve learned over the years, facts are more head centered ways of thinking, and feelings are more heart centered. This course wanted me to take my feelings out of the equation and consider how my staff (or people in general) experience me. What a great way of asking a question that could be tough for some to articulate!
Curious about what I wrote? Okay, here is what I jotted down, HAPPY, REFLECTIVE, BALANCED, INTROSPECTIVE, POLICY DRIVEN, FAIR, APPROACHABLE, KIND. I would say that is still a fairly accurate description of me as a Leader in the Federal Government, which feels good.
I think over the next few days I will journal about this question about me in general. Want to join me?
Journal prompts:
· How do you think people experience you?
· Is this the same in all areas of your life?
· What, if anything changes if you think of this from a heart centered space?
· Is there anything I want to change about how people experience me?