DANGEROUS LEADER: Spring — a time to focus on growth

Spring has long been referred to as the time for growth. And while, as a dangerous leader, you tend to avoid the trends, you can’t deny the natural call of springtime renewal activities. And dangerous leaders are interested in the continued evolution of self, love renewal.

So let’s talk about hidden potential.

I am fascinated by this aspect of renewal for a couple of reasons.

One, I am currently finishing up Adam Grant’s newest book, “Hidden Potential.” I highly recommend it and his last book, “Think Again,” if you are looking for fertile soil to sow your seeds of renewal in.

Both of these books offer alternate perspectives on development as individuals and the systems we create.

Second, leaders in organizations are responsible for the systems their organization supports, fuels and optimizes in the name of progress.

And leaders are responsible for the personal systems they have in place that allow them to realize their hidden potential and step closer to their full potential.

The challenge: We can all get complacent and fall back on the idea that the current system is working well enough.

Dangerous leaders don’t settle for “well enough” or “good enough” when they know they can do better.

And doing better isn’t at the expense of what is important in their individual life. In fact, it is because of it. Dangerous leaders unleash their hidden potential because they are invested in caretaking their world in a meaningful way that includes themselves.

As you seek to sow the seeds of renewal in your leadership this spring, I offer the gift of self-reflection that supports what is most important to you.

This starts by identifying what is most important to you.

There are several ways to do this, but I recommend the simplest: Write it down. If what you wrote down feels like a sound basis for decision- making and stock-taking in your world, you are golden.

If not, try again. If you get really stuck, I recommend hiring a coach.

Next, take stock of your world. Think about where you are investing yourself. Does it align with the things you listed as most important?

For example, if you listed spending time with your family as important, does the way your life is structured support that? This applies to your work as well. If you love to be creative, and your work doesn’t afford you that opportunity — can it?

Starting with this foundation, you have the beginning of an action plan.

The third and final phase of this is to decide which action to take first. I recommend starting with just one. Repetition of this new habit is important, and trying to create 20 new habits at the same time will not set you up for success.

Be ready for sustainable change, not chaos change.

In this time of great renewal in Mother Nature, find the time for self- renewal that fuels and evolves your place in your leadership and your life.

Dangerous leaders know there is more to life than numbers on an achievement board. Life is about the experience we get to grow with. And sometimes, we have to deliberately create it. Even when it feels dangerous.

Live Dangerously. Be You.

Jennifer Smith is a Cedar Rapids-based personal and executive coach, host of The Dangerous Leader Podcast, and unapologetic optimist. Comments: jennifer@dangerousleader.com; @drjennsmith