Being Uncomfortable May Make You A Better Leader

Being Uncomfortable May Make You A Better Leader In recent weeks, I have been developing a presentation for the first annual Market the Valley Business Expo and Conference that will be held in Eau Claire on May 18. My presentation, entitled “Leveraging Your Leadership Abilities,” will discuss leadership and how to purposefully plan your leadership growth and harness its potential. Now, why would I select this topic? Although I am a full time employee at Globe University in Eau Claire, I am also attending classes through Capella University to get my PhD. When it is completed (and, by the way, I am currently taking my last course…), I will have a PhD in Organization and Management, Leadership Emphasis. Leadership is something that has intrigued me for quite some time and I enjoy learning about the various theories. As I was putting together the presentation for Market the Valley, I was thinking of things that had driven me to increase my own leadership potential. One of the key things I have done is to have purposefully placed myself in situations that make me uncomfortable. Why is this important? Because it makes you grow as a person. If you don’t stretch yourself and learn to tackle new things, how can you expect to end up anywhere else? Here’s an example: I clearly remember being in elementary school and junior high and absolutely dreading the thought of speeches. I would get nervous, my skin would get blotchy and my heart was ready to fly out of my chest. Then, when I was a freshman in high school, I joined forensics. Forensics is public speaking. In front of people. Strangers. And you’re being judged. I did this on purpose. I knew that if I wanted to get where I wanted to be in life, I was going to need to talk in front of others. During that first speech, I was terrifed. But, each one got a little bit easier. Now, I love my job as a business instructor and some days I am in front of students talking for four hours. Through my business, Feather Communications, I love providing workshops and seminars. The more people, the better. I recently applied as a speaker for a business event in Chicago in July 2012. The thought of actually being accepted makes me excited. And a little uncomfortable. But, that’s a good thing. Go out and make yourself uncomfortable. Choose an area where you know you may need to improve a little bit. If you feel butterflies and wonder if this is a mistake, you know you’re on the right track. Being uncomfortable means wonderful growth is just around the corner.