By Michael Gidlewski

We often use the phrase “acting like a child” as an insult for adults who may be seemingly irresponsible or immature. The reality is that, in business, we need to take risks, and we need to adapt quickly to change.

Let’s look at a few childlike qualities that all leaders will benefit from emulating. First, children haven’t learned to be apprehensive of new situations. They have a natural curiosity and desire to learn – this is a critical factor in their growth and development, and it should not stop in adulthood. Children are also flexible; they can accept change because they lack deeply ingrained habit patterns.

Adults can often be set in their ways, which is a major obstacle to success in the business world. Children are self-confident because they have not yet acquired the fear of failure. They try new things and quickly learn what works and what doesn’t. Finally, children are resilient. When they are learning to walk, they don’t just stop trying when they fall down – they get back up over and over again.

By the time we reach adulthood, we may have lost some of these qualities. We become programmed by our environment, and we have developed certain attitudes and automatic reactions to situations. We forget the importance of being curious, flexible, and self-confident. We sometimes think we know it all, or we may question our abilities. We need to channel our innate tendencies toward growth and develop them. We need to reflect on our attitudes and change the ones that are counter-productive to our development.

How do we do this?

We need to engage in productive activities that challenge us to step outside the limits we have set for ourselves and move closer to our full potential. Personal leadership is a commitment to a course of action that leads to personal fulfillment, the fulfillment that comes from making a contribution to the world.

Personal leadership is freedom, like that of a child. On your journey, you become free of everything that holds you back, including your own self. You accept responsibility for your own actions, and you realize that your success is not based on comparisons among you and other people. Rather, your progress is gauged by comparing who you are to who you want to be!

If you are a business owner, COO, or CEO, we are offering a free assessment that gives you valuable insight into your behaviors, motivators, and emotional intelligence. E-mail me at michael@achievable.com to receive your free assessment. Start your journey to leadership mastery with necessary self-awareness and suggestions for personal development. Don’t miss this opportunity! The offer expires Sept. 14, 2019.

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Michael Gidlewski is President of West Chester-based Achievement Unlimited, Inc., as well as a growth catalyst and motivational speaker. He works with motivated business owners and entrepreneurs to clearly define the elements of what they dearly want their businesses and lives to look like, then helps them connect all the moving parts that make up those visions to consistent action and habits. Michael can be reached at 610-793-6609 or via e-mail at michael@achievable.com.

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