What Works: Self-Leadership, power and the Thanksgiving holiday

Thanksgiving is just a few days around the corner and our country is in a ruffle about the election. Yes, I said in a ruffle. Expect some Texanisms in this article as I am visiting where I grew up for Thanksgiving.

When I was little, as you can imagine, I was quite the little spitfire. I had specific opinions about what was right for me. I didn't hesitate to express my thoughts and feelings. I exercised by ability to communicate, in all its forms – both articulate and... not so much. There have been plenty of stories this trip home about how I was the mini CEO of my life. Yet, being a kid, I also lost the ability to lead myself when emotion overwhelmed me.

As an adult, I can still feel that angry child surface. I became curious about when fear became lashing out versus saying, I am afraid — support me. I started to pay attention to when I wasn’t “using my words” even in adulthood.
 
It can be scary to ask for our needs to be met. As Thanksgiving approaches, we focus our attention on fulfilling the needs of others. Do we have enough food? How many place settings again? While we are preparing for others, it may do some good to also prepare ourselves to be good self-leaders. Thanksgiving can create an environment that may be challenging for some. This particularly true this year with so much controversy swirling around us.

Do you stand up for what you believe in? 
Do you keep in mind that attacking isn’t necessary to voice your opinion?
Do you pause and use empathy to place yourself in someone’s shoes?
Do you practice being a good self-leader?
Self-leaders serve others while carrying several key traits. In the book “Power” by Jeffrey Pfeffer, the author outlines key characteristics of those who have power. This applies to both personal power and organizational power.
How many of these traits do you have?
·         Confidence
·         Empathy
·         Ability Not to Take Things Personally
·         Energy
·         Focus
·         Ambition
·         Self-Knowledge

As we enter Thanksgiving, be thankful for those traits you have. Also, work to develop a growth mindset to work on areas where you may be less strong. Use this holiday to practice being among diverse groups of people. Hot topics are likely to come up. Can you use self-knowledge, empathy, focus, and the ability not to take things personally and be a good self-leader? Remember, there’s one thing on this planet we can control and its ourselves.
This week’s exercise: To have a Happy Thanksgiving, whatever that means to you. To exercise your power traits to tap into your highest self.

LEARN FROM DIANE AND EMBRACE CHANGE IN 2017

January 6, 2017: “Vision Boards and Statements Workshop” – Gaia Wellness and Yoga, Carson City, NV – $20/Adults, $10/Ages 10-18. Purchase your ticket here. https://www.facebook.com/events/1804802419807412/

What Works Coaching
Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a business coaching and marketing services firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.