My ISMI Process
As a leader, continuous growth and improvement should be at the forefront of your professional journey. Regardless of your current position or industry, implementing a systematic approach can help you navigate the path to success. I want to share the four essential steps I call ISMI to propel your leadership skills to new heights: identifying your goals, simplifying the steps, modifying behavior, and intensifying discipline and action. This is a process I have developed that helps me reset my focus.
Step 1: Identify Your Goal
The first step towards growth and improvement is to clearly identify your goals. Ask yourself: What do I want to achieve as a leader? Be specific and precise about your aspirations, whether developing better communication skills, becoming more empathetic, or increasing team productivity. With a defined goal, you can create a roadmap to success and set yourself up for meaningful progress.
Step 2: Simplify the Steps
Once you have identified your goal, it’s essential to break it down into manageable steps. Complexity can often be overwhelming and hinder progress. By simplifying the steps, you make the path to improvement more approachable and achievable. Consider the actions, habits, or skills you need to develop to reach your goal. Focus on the most critical elements and outline a step-by-step plan to guide your journey. Create small steps that will continually lead you to significant improvements.
Step 3: Modify a Change
Real growth and improvement often require changing your behavior and adopting new approaches. Reflect on your current practices and identify areas that may be hindering your progress. Are there habits or attitudes that hold you back? Determine what needs modification and be open to embracing new ways of thinking and acting. Whether it’s being more proactive, actively seeking feedback, or fostering a culture of collaboration, small changes in behavior can yield significant results.
Step 4: Intensify Your Discipline and Action
The final step to achieving growth and improvement as a leader is to intensify discipline and action. Consistency is critical in developing new habits and skills. Maintain a high level of commitment to your goal and ensure that your actions align with your desired outcome. This may require dedicating specific time each day or week to practice and refine your newly adopted behaviors. Stay motivated, hold yourself accountable, and be prepared to invest the necessary effort to make it happen.
Becoming a better leader is an ongoing journey that requires dedication, self-reflection, and intentional action. By following these four steps – identifying your goal, simplifying the steps, modifying your behavior, and intensifying your discipline and action – you can set yourself on a path toward continuous growth and improvement. Remember, leadership excellence is not achieved overnight, but with perseverance and a commitment to personal development, you can unlock your full potential and inspire those around you.
