Managing Yourself

We've mentioned the hadith of starting with an intention, a transformation that begins in the heart and manifests itself through our actions.

Within the framework of leadership; to lead others through external change, you must manage yourself first.

Who are you, what drives you, what do you want to accomplish?

It is entirely okay to not have the full path charted out. You begin with your why (niyyah) and establish a plan to get there. But there will be unknowns as your navigate your path. This is when your leadership manifests itself.

How will you overcome obstacles and challenges?

Will your remain true to who you are and who you need to be?

Or will you take shortcuts?

Tipping points for transformation occur when leaders link their current choices to deep-seated behavioral patterns, a process that takes time and conscious effort. This is self-awareness and it is the foundation of self-regulation and effective relationship management.

Consider this: What past experiences are influencing your current reaction to a "difficult" situation? How will you change your behavior patterns now to counteract those negative outbursts?