3 Reasons Why Being a Loner Will Hurt You

“One is too small a number to achieve greatness” -John Maxwell

 Are you a leader? Do you have a vision for your leadership? What is the legacy you want to leave behind after you leave this earth? Have you ever thought about these questions, or do you just show up to your work every day and do the same thing, the same old ways as you have been doing them for however long you have been doing them? 

Today in America we are faced with a choice. We have two “so-called” leaders running for the highest office in the land. Now, this is not a political message, but do you think either one of these candidates will fix your immediate problems?  

Are you Insane? 

We listen to the rhetoric from both camps and they promise change, but in my experience with elections, once someone is in office, they keep doing the same old thing. 

But you don’t have to be. You can be the change you wish to see in the world. You can make a major impact right where you are currently leading. Will you take the challenge? 

We live in a world as leaders we are expected to do more with fewer resources and support than we have experienced. In the 30years I have worked in the healthcare industry I have watched hospitals endure tremendous cuts to the resources and create RIFs (Reduction in Forces) to combat the decreased revenues. 

It is no different in other industries across this great land. However, my calling is not to fix those challenges, my calling is to serve leaders to lead effectively despite them. 

Will you take this challenge? 

I want to challenge you to quit watching the news and everything about the political races between now and election day. My gut is you already know who you are going to vote for in this election, so just show up and vote. No amount of news is going to change your mind, it is just going to keep you upset, uneasy, and unchanging. I am going to join you in my own challenge. 

As you are faced with demands on your time and productivity as a leader, how are you keeping up and getting more done? Use the extra time you gain on your news and Facebook and social media fast for putting into relationships with your team. Use the extra time in reading and studying. Use the extra time learning from leaders who are making a difference. 

Invest in my online programs to develop your skills or hire me as a coach to push you to your next level of performance. Email me and say YES Mike I need a coach! I will respond and we will get started on the change you want to BE in the world. 

What I know from experience is I need help. I need coaching and mentoring, and a good old fashion kick in the tail sometimes. When I am alone in my thinking and my old ways of leading, I am not very good. I need a team of people to push me to get to the next level and achieve the dreams and goals and legacy I have for my leadership and life.

Life is not meant to be lived alone; we need to learn to be INTERDEPENDENT. What is this? Interdependence is a dependence between two or more people, groups, or things. Here is what it is not; it is not total dependence on someone to make all your decisions and need them to be around all the time. That is co-dependence and that requires counseling. 

3 Reason’s Why Being a Loner Will Hurt You

As a leader, being a loner will leave you alone to do all the work. Oh sure, you might force people to get things done, but if you don’t build interdependent relationships with your team, they will let you get run over by a bus the first chance they get.

1. As a leader, being a loner will leave you lost and on an island by yourself. If you create silos for yourself and do not include other peer leaders across your enterprise, you will find yourself lost without anyone willing to help you get back home. Ok, I hear some of you laughing and saying how nice that would be…but in leadership and your work, it is a death sentence. Today, collaboration is a must in order to survive and create greatness in your organization.
2. Being a loner will leave a legacy for sure. But not one others will talk about, or if they do; it will not be one you are proud to leave.

Now What?

1. Make a commitment you will create a new habit of building interdependent relationships with others. Download my Daily Compass Tool to help keep you on track and to reach your daily goals.
2. Commit to a fast of political commentary and social media for the next 90-days. I promise you will not miss anything. When you turn it back on (if you do) the media will be saying the same junk they are saying today. Hopefully, you will not turn it back on.
3. Think of it this way. To clean a glass of dirty water, you have to pour it out and fill it with clean water. Your brain needs to be filled with clean input. Read at least one book between now and the end of the year and apply it knowledge.