With each class that I speak to or lead, with each cancer survivor whom I mentor, or with every presentation I deliver to a group or company, there are three themes I always make sure to emphasize early in the program or discussion.

1. Your goal is never to be perfect because perfection is unrealistic. Just try to improve yourself each day.
2. If you invest time into a Podcast, Personal Development book, or training session, and it does not change a behavior or a mindset when you leave the session, it was a waste of your time.
3. You are going to make mistakes. Mistakes are ok only if you learn from them.

Individual Development Plans (IDP) are important to me, as they should be to every leader.  IDP’s should be mandatory for everyone in a personal and professional setting.  Over the years, I have typically only focused on or been held accountable for my professional plans and de-prioritized my personal development.   IDP’s should also focus on forward-facing behaviors to build strengths or identify and develop areas of opportunity for your future self.  

If you are resting on your personal or professional laurels from where you succeeded in the past and are not working to be better in the present or for your future, then you have become stagnant and could soon find your life without direction or purpose.  Every single one of us has strengths and areas of opportunity to work on, whether at home or in our professional life.   Perfection is not attainable or should be expected. 

It’s hard for me to admit when I am wrong, at work and especially at home, and even harder to be vulnerable to share these faults with others.   For past generations, many would view these admissions as weak or soft.   When counseling or mentoring others through challenging times, I share with them how brave they are to admit where they fall short and how humbled and honored I am that they chose me to help them improve and get them through the challenging times together. 

The S Curve *

About 5 years ago, I realized that the S Curve could be a powerful career management or personal growth tool. We use this concept a lot at work, and these past several weeks have opened my eyes to incorporate the S Curve concept personally, to be a better husband and father, the two most important “jobs” in my life.  Popularized by Everett M. Rogers, who used it to show how new ideas and technologies spread, it also describes the trajectory that people move along as they develop competence in a new domain of expertise. It is called the S Curve of Learning. Growth is slow and effortful at the outset, known as the launch point. That phase is followed by rapid upward progress as people acquire new skills and overcome setbacks: a stretch to think of as the sweet spot. At the peak is mastery—when work becomes easier, but the curve flattens because little is left to learn. When that happens, it’s time to jump to the bottom of a new S Curve, put in the effort, and experience the thrill of climbing again. I see a lot of S Curve tie-ins with blanchard’s Situational Leadership II model, a very popular leadership model focused on task-oriented development and coaching. 

*See the S Curve chart below…

Some tips of advice:

• Mental fitness is critical in 2023. Taking time to recharge and balance your priorities has never been as important as it is today.
• • Write down your goals!!!
  • Schedule 30-minute increments daily without your phone or your computer to be mentally recharged.
  • Drive to work or home in silence without the radio on.
  • Spend no more than an hour per day on social media.
  • Find something you love to do and spend time on that daily.
  • Tell 3-5 people weekly how much they mean to you with a heartfelt message, phone call, or text.
  • Don’t take your most important relationships for granted. Find the time.
  • Set up counseling sessions when you need them. You will be stronger when verbalizing your feelings with others trained to listen.
  • Challenge yourself to learn something new in the next 12 months. The thrill of starting something new and the thrill of achievement will be incredibly rewarding.
  • Participate in an activity that is not self-serving. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, dog shelter, or food bank.   If you have the means, put aside some money to donate to a worthy cause you feel passionate about. 
  • If you are in a drive-through line at a restaurant or coffee place, pay for the person’s order behind you and don’t wait or expect recognition. Pay it forward.
• Who is on your internal board of directors’ team to help you with your growth journey? Be honest and open with them about where you are struggling now, and also focus on your strengths. Have goals for the podcasts you listen to or books you read.   Don’t conduct personal development to “Check The Box”.
• I deliver storytelling and presentation skills workshops a lot with internal employees. Three areas to focus on with your professional or personal IDP and realizing where you are at in your life’s journey:
  • Your story should initially start with where you have been (Past State)
  • Transition to where you are now (Current State)
  • Close with your plan for your upcoming 12 months (Future State)
  • Every great story has these components.   Every strategic plan should follow this storyboard.  Share your story with others.  

People in 2023 respond to humility, authenticity, being genuine and honest, conducting worthwhile work, and learning to lean on others through good times and the hard times.   I constantly work on “listening to understand vs. listening to respond.”  People want to know that you support them and have their best intentions in mind, whether delivering praise and recognition or delivering critical feedback.   To avoid being defensive, the simple response to someone providing you with positive affirmations or developmental feedback should be “Thank You.”

Thank you for your continued support in my recovery from cancer.  There are more good days than bad days ahead for me and the people I love and trust. All the e-mails and text messages sent to me last week on June 4 for National Cancer Survivors Day were appreciated.  And to support the theme of why I started this blog, Always be a Learning Leader.

Well Done > Well Said

-Jimmy

*https://hbr.org/2022/01/manage-your-organization-as-a-portfolio-of-learning-curves