Leadership Development Tips to Fight Finger Pointing

We live in one of the wealthiest places in the world during the wealthiest time in history. We have access to a plethora of resources to help us improve in leading, managing, innovation, negotiating, and selling. The world of information is at our fingertips. ​

Yet, in the midst of this abundance and amazing opportunity, finger pointing and the McDonald-coffee-is-too-hot syndrome is woven into the fabric of our culture. It’s a hard-to-avoid trap that’s broadcast on every TV show and social media outlet 24/7.

To reach our own full leadership, sales and entrepreneurial potential, and help those we mentor do the same, we have to stand firm in our leadership example and stand up against this cultural cancer.

Fight Finger Pointing is the first action step in strengthening your Sisu Spirit.

Have you ever confidently made a business decision only to find later it was the wrong one, absolutely wrong? I know firsthand what that feels like. I bought Trail Rider, a snowmobile sleigh manufacturing business. Of course, the success of this business thrives on the presence of snow, and the more snow the better. The winter season following this business decision was when El Niño hit. Not nearly enough snow. Disaster.

What did I do? A classic – I played the blame-game and pointed fingers at everyone else!  I blamed my husband for persuading me to get into this business, even though I made the final decision. I blamed the clients for not buying the product, even though they were fully stocked from the previous year. I blamed God for not controlling the weather.

Did any of this solve my problems? No, not at all. Were they appropriate places of blame? No, they weren’t.

Timely for me, I was reading a book that challenged me to apply an action mindset and adopt an ownership orientation. I realized I needed to draw on my Sisu Spirit to get me out of my messy and onto a more productive path. Once I changed mindsets, I was able to sell the business within a short time.

Here are some tips on how a Sisu Spirit can help emerging leaders turn negative experiences from the past into growth opportunities.

A common excuse is when people blame the past as an excuse for their current bad situation. Do what you can to help Next Gen leaders recognize this “blame-trap”.

• List all the positive things you learn about yourself and others when you go through a difficult experience. Perseverance, determination, creativity, courage, and confidence are some ideas to get you started.

• Evaluate new skills you develop during this time. How might these skills help you be a better leader, entrepreneur, or sales professional?

• Forgive those who have wronged you and choose to move forward, even if the world is telling you it’s okay to stay bitter.

Sisu, with its action-oriented and ownership mindset, is at the heart personal and professional leadership. It’s an important character trait to nurture in emerging leaders who have been born into the abundance provided by living on one of the wealthiest countries during one of the wealthiest times in history.

Leadership question: Who are you coaching that needs encouragement so they can strengthen their SISU qualities of grit, determination, and perseverance?

Leadership lesson: People who are inspired to accept responsibility will thrive amidst any obstacle life throws at them.