Productivity Coach’s Corner: Lead Yourself, First

To lead yourself first means thinking about the end state of roles and skills you need to improve.

Dr. Stephen R. Covey recommended we “begin with the end in mind.” When it comes to leadership development, practitioners in the training field should regularly reflect on two end states:

1. “What do I want to be a better XX?”

2. “What do I want to be better at?”

To lead yourself first means thinking about the end state of roles and skills you need to improve. The first question pertains to roles such as: time manager, negotiator, spouse, friend, etc. The second forces you to focus on abilities to improve. Answer both questions and lead yourself, first.

Dr. Jason Womack
Dr. Jason ‘JW' Womack is currently an instructor at Air University's Leadership Development Course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He is a Nationally Board-Certified Coach (BCC), co-author of "Get Momentum: How to Start When You're Stuck," and author of "Your Best Just Got Better: Think Bigger, Work Smarter, Make More."