As in any skill or trait, the ability to lead comes more easily for some than others. While there are those who are natural-born leaders, many develop the skills necessary to become a person of influence.
In this article titled “Leadership Lessons from the Dalai Lama”, author Drew Gannon highlighted some of the exiled monk’s teachings. The one thing that stood out is perspective or, as I like to call it, attitude.
Great leaders understand the importance of a positive attitude in building strong and effective organizations. One's outlook dictates a person’s response to the present and determines the quality of your future, it is a great influencer in a company's culture.
Clearly there are personal benefits for the individuals as well as the team as a whole, I’ve outlined three below.
Lead With Attitude: Three Leadership Lessons from Dalai Lama
Helps to Achieve Business Goals. Persuading customers is much easier for a person with a positive attitude. Research studies have shown sales professionals who think positively have improved sales performance. If a person is optimistic about achieving goals and success, they are more prone to take action in order to achieve it. Positive thinking is conspicuous in an achiever.
Improves Team Morale. A leader’s attitude is infectious – whether in a positive or negative way. Conscious or not, your team looks to you to create a positive attitude in the workplace. When you’re in a meeting or facing a challenge, steer the conversation on teamwork and focus on solutions. More likely than not, your attitude will begin to affect change. Soon people will be drawn to you, not only because of your strong leadership, but because they can’t help but like being in the company of somebody positive.
Develops a sense of gratitude. While several factors go into optimism, cultivating a sense of gratitude can help maintain a more positive mood in daily life. Thankfulness is one of the simpler routes to a greater sense of emotional well-being, higher overall life satisfaction, and a greater sense of happiness in life. People with a greater level of gratitude tend to have stronger relationships, less stress, resulting in increased health benefits.
This tweet from Dalai Lama sums up the best advice for leaders:
Appreciate how rare and full of potential your situation is in this world, then take joy in it, and use it to your best advantage.
