The Power of Consistency: Habits That Drive Leadership Success

I love tuning in to the Summer Olympic Games. Watching the best athletes in the world compete and represent their home countries is simply incredible. As viewers, we see a glimpse, sometimes just seconds, of what has taken years of hard work, resilience, and sacrifice. It would probably be impossible to equate the amount of time it takes to be physically and mentally prepared to compete in the Olympic Games. Even when we may want to slow down, it can feel as if life is moving at a fast pace. It can be easy to lose focus on the daily actions that help shape success: our habits. The small micro decisions and consistent actions that we take each day help us in our continuous improvement. How we lead and participate in our own lives is not just about the grand strategies or the final race, it’s also about the repetitive habits that lead to sustainability.   

There are several ways to build better habits, but I would like to mention two, and provide an actionable item: 

The Domino Effect

If the goal is to lose 10 pounds, or possibly finish a particular project, the feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment will be there only for a moment in time once that specific goal is accomplished. Most likely, discontent will set in fairly quickly. This isn’t to say that goals aren’t healthy because they are, however understanding the difference is key. There are different philosophies and examples that impact behavior, but the one I will share is probably familiar to you, The Domino Effect. This states that when you make a change to one behavior it will activate a chain reaction and cause a shift in related behaviors as well. Think about some of your own patterns. As a personal example, if I have my habit of running or walking every day, then I naturally will have more focus, or drink more water, which subsequently can lead to better production at work and higher levels of hydration although I never planned to improve either behavior. Are there any behaviors in your life right now that may need a shift? Evaluate some of them and write down how they could positively impact other areas of your life.

Learn more about yourself

Take time to understand your strengths and your weaknesses. What are your good habits? What are your habits that need more improvement? By valuing yourself, in turn, you are better for yourself and for others around you. Write down some of your habits and figure out which ones are working for you and against you. By understanding our habits, we can enhance our ability to lead ourselves and others.

Actionable item: If you haven’t read the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, I strongly recommend checking it out if you’re interested in learning more about the impact of habits.