I remember being a kid and thinking it was funny to hear a lawyer say they operated "a practice." In the US, consultants, doctors, and attorneys talk about operating "a practice" instead of a business. Over time, I've realized that I like this idea of a "consulting practice" because it reflects a different way of thinking about work - one that can benefit you as a leader.
When we practice a new skill, we are seeking to get better. When we work, we are fulfilling an expectation, or expending effort. So when you think about your journey as a leader, is leadership something you practice, or is it just work?
I like to think of my "work" as something that I practice intentionally every day. Each new challenge or bump in the road becomes another opportunity to get better, to get smarter and accumulate experiences.
Every interaction is a chance to practice our compassion and clarity.
Every customer is a chance to practice delivering heartfelt service.
Every project is a chance to practice good decision making, clear communication, and wise actions.
This translates into our home life too.
Every time we see our spouse it's a chance to practice making our love visible.
Every time a friend calls it's a chance to practice listening and being listened to.
So if life can be seen as a practice, how can we make it even more meaningful? By finding others to share the experiences with. As humans, we are social animals. Our relationships give us motivation and context for a meaningful life.
That is why learning communities are so important. Do the leaders in your organization have a "place" where you can all connect about your experiences and learn together? Most companies lack a learning community for leadership. And yet the simple act of bringing leaders together to talk and learn is so powerful. It doesn't need to take a lot of time or money either. But in our lifelong practice of leadership, we can go so much further in community with others.
So if you are reading this today, I encourage you to think about your individual practice of leadership. Does thinking of your development as a "daily practice" change the way you think about leadership? Do you have a community of leaders to learn with, and learn from?
If not, let's find ways to build them. It's something I'm thinking about. More on this later!
Cheri
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