Personal mastery is a huge theme in Peter Senge’s Fifth Discipline series. It’s a huge theme in Ryan Holiday’s books. It’s a huge theme in Crucial Conversations. In fact, it’s a huge theme in every book I’ve read about leadership. WHY?
Because controlling your impulses and understanding your own biases is the single most important thing a strong leader/communicator does. Think about a difficult or triggering conversation you recently had. A high performing and yet highly imperfect senior engineer demanding an unreasonable raise? A sales VP running amok with random acts of messaging? How did you feel? What did you say?
Your impulse in any crucial conversation may be that you want to win. Or you might be dying to show your power and punish. But what will satisfying those short term desires get you? What’s really best for the relationship, for the company?
Just asking yourself these questions gives you a way to take a pause. When you can pause your emotional and physiological reaction your give your conscious mind a chance to vote too – not just your adrenaline and your body.
Personal mastery is equally important in external conversation. Nobody who gets mad in a broadcast TV interview looks like a strong leader. When you get huffy on TV, no matter what you’re asked, you instantly brand yourself as an entitled toddler. That doesn’t do much for the stock price.
So, future great communicators, find your way to whatever tools and practices help you keep centered. With a foundation of personal mastery you put yourself light years ahead on your path to becoming a great communicator.
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
