Selective Abandonment in How You Lead and Live: Addition Through Subtractionby Dr. Joe Schroeder, Associate Executive Director, AWSA Leadership focus is the prerequisite for everything else that leaders do. This maxim -- taken to heart -- can rightfully compel leaders to choose the few “whats” (among many efforts they are doing) to prioritize within their improvement agenda. And such an exercise also then can lead to “selective abandonment” of a number of less-important initiatives already underway in order to prioritize resources and attention to “the vital few.” In this article, I want to explore a similar logic of prioritization and “selective abandonment” but this time in regard to our “hows” -- that is, how we conduct our daily affairs, specifically in the prevailing concepts or hang-ups we cling to that are potentially hampering our impact and fulfillment, both as a leader and as a human being. In efforts at full disclosure, the impetus for this article was a document that was shared by a friend in late February entitled, “Forty Things to Give Up for Lent.” As you may know, Christians often “give up” some personal crutch, bad habit, etc. this time of year in hopes to become a better person during the season leading up to Easter. But this shared list was different from what I had expected. And whether you are Christian or Muslim; theist, agnostic, or atheist; or any other designation one could imagine, many of these “hang-ups” seemed very relevant to how leaders (including me) can often think and be -- mindsets that, if we are not careful, can get in the way of all our well-intended leadership and living priorities (i.e., “the whats”) that we hope to accomplish. So without further adieu, here is a sampling from among the forty listed in the book. As you review the list in the first column below, I encourage you to honestly consider how one or more of these potentially troublesome mindsets and approaches is currently part of how you conduct your daily affairs. And if so, then please consider whether “selective and intentional abandonment” of it could provide considerable addition (to deeper personal impact and fulfillment) through its subtraction:
If you identified one or two of these mindsets/approaches to “selectively abandon” in your leadership and living, then follow through. Write down your intent clearly (e.g., “I am giving up bitterness because the only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself.”) Then return to this written statement daily to focus your day and follow through on your intent until you make it a natural habit of your daily living, that is, until you make this a natural part of who you are as a leader and as a human being. Wishing each of you “addition through subtraction” this spring, as you take your leading and living to the next level! References Ressler, P. (2015). Forty things to give up for lent and beyond. Wheaton, IL: Good News Publishers. Read more at: Elementary Edition - Secondary Edition - District Level Edition |