Leader: A Best Identity Available to All of Us

How are things different for you?

What changes have you committed to?

How has your awareness shifted?

Resources and events encouraging action and change come and go, but at the end of the day it really comes back to us to take the lead – the lead in what we want, how we work and how we manage our ADHD.

In a previous post, I wrote about developing Best Identities –  identities we can step into that leverage our strengths and limit our challenges. One identity that is essential for every Global Creative to develop is the identity of Leader.

When I think of leader in this context, it is about the posture or mindset of a leader.

A proactive mindset is essential for being successful with our intentions.

For Global Creatives, establishing and maintaining a proactive, leader mindset can be extremely challenging. A leader is proactive, asking questions to evoke action and clarity.  Yet, it’s hard to maintain “I can, I will!” when many of the messages coming in say “Don’t bet on it!”.  ADHD is the gunk in your transmission inhibiting smooth starts and clean shifting of gears.

Practicing effective leadership skills acts like a solvent to the gunk, especially around activation. Effective leaders see openings for opportunity and change. They communicate their needs and leverage resources seamlessly. But most importantly, the leader identity is available to everyone. It is not just the stuff of CEO’s and Trailblazers.

Taking the lead does not mean doing it alone!

Taking stock of your resources is a key first focus in assuming the leader posture. You don't always have to be the one carrying to the ball. Try shifting from the mindset of a football running back: “give me the ball” to that of a quarterback: “who can I give the ball to?” or “What are my options?”

Responsibility and accountability are often collapsed into the same meaning: "I have to be accountable to myself in order to be responsible for my actions"

Not true.

You can distribute accountability out amongst your go-to people and still maintain responsibility for the overall project. Regardless of the project (getting a jump on a work task or stepping up your own ADHD management) locating the right people for the task is not only smart but efficient.This shared attention works well for busy Global Creatives, and helps perpetuate the leader mindset.