Issue One Hundred
Nearly two years ago I decided to start writing, once a week, about leadership. It was a month long experiment. Happily what I shared resonated with those who read it and I kept going.
It blows me away that today marks the 100th issue.
Looking back, when I first started writing I remember being worried about whether there was anything different to say; and whether I had enough to say. And possibly even more so, being afraid of what those first readers, many of them clients, former coworkers and peers, might think.
(These questions do still surface, though thankfully much less today.)
In these pieces, my intention was to write something that would be immediately useful to the leaders who read it, but that also challenged you to take more strategic, conscious and intentional steps towards the way you lead.
Which can be tough for high pace, high achieving, busy leaders.
I write about the leaders I work with; and I write for the leaders I work with.
Interestingly the pieces that receive the most personal emails in response to, are those which delve beneath the surface; exploring mindset, inner confidence and courage.
The posts that are viewed and read the most, statistically speaking, often focus on more tactical elements of leadership.
Both are elements that I work with leaders on.
So, if this is what interests or challenges you, you’re not on your own.
We talk about tactics, strategy, habits and skills and we also talk about energy, mindset, health and their vision for the future. Because to be a high performer you need more than just skills and the right strategy - you need to be in peak condition, both mentally and physically.
That said, 100 issues in, and many kind emails, comments and messages, I know very little about why you read this, what you like and what you’d like more of.
So I’d like to ask for your help, just for three minutes, and to answer the questions here - just click the button below.
It will only take a few moments. Click here ⤵️
Meantime in celebration of the number 100, let’s dive into this weeks issue:
100 in Meaning
The number 100 is often used as a benchmark for achievement, or to signal completeness.
In numerology readings, the essence of the number 100 contains:
the singular number ‘1’, representing independence, uniqueness, exploration and self determination
as well as wholeness, inclusiveness and infinite potential of the ‘0’.
The blend results in an energy unique to the number 100; and regardless of scientific merit, it might be a perfect number to describe leadership.
What could those words mean to you in the context of your leadership?
And what could you do to bring more of them into your leadership today?
100 in Wishes
One of my favourite questions to ask the leaders I work with is ‘what do you want?’.
Its simplicity masks its depth. And it is actually four questions in one, depending on where the stress is placed.
What do you want?
What do you want?
What do you want?
What do you want?
The initial response to any of these questions is often relatively tactical. “I want to land this presentation” or “I want her to agree to the proposal”. But delving deeper, it can reveal more.
When I first started working with a coach, he asked me to make a list of 100 things that I wanted. The first 10 came relatively easily. Then it became more challenging. And deeper.
It might take you an hour, it might be something you add to over the space of a week or month. But try making a list of 100 things that you want in your life.
Or get your team, or your leadership team together and do the same.
Then ask yourself (individually or collectively)
What do you notice about the list?
What is the most and least important?
Where could you start?
100 in Learning
Deciding to focus on something new often requires effort. Habits do not form easily. 30 or 100 day challenges are one tool that can help focus your effort and accellerate your progress whilst also keeping you on track.
Super simple and free habit tracking tools like Don’t Break The Chain can be useful.
You can do three and a half x ‘100 day challenges’ in a full calendar year.
What three things would make an exponential difference to your leadership and would be worthy of 100 days invested in them?
What sequence would you tackle them in?
What would be your first challenge?
100 in Celebration
In leadership and business, bringing things to 100% completion is rare.
Work is continuous; programmes and projects move from delivery into implementation into review and continuous improvement continues, well, continuously.
Small tasks can easily be crossed off a list, but at a more strategic level, things are very rarely ‘done’.
Typically too for high performers, that’s exactly the time when you start looking for your next big challenge.
What progress have you made this year that you have not taken a moment to acknowledge?
Do you lean towards celebrating small wins often or big wins less frequently?
What could switching up your approach do for you?
If you haven’t already I’d love you to hear your views on what content will really help you lead better. It will only take a few minutes. Just click here ⤵️
As ever, thank you for being a valued reader and a vital part of the growing Spark community.
If you’ve enjoyed this week’s issue please hit the 🤍 button at the top of this email so that more leaders can find it.
Meantime if you haven’t already, you can subscribe to receive the next issue straight to your inbox.