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When I first heard about this law, a construction site next to our office helped me appreciate the significance of a process.
At first, there was a bare piece of land. The area was sealed off with mabati (corrugated iron sheets) all around, which is common in my part of the world – of course, making provision for an entrance to access the site. Then the digging started, going deeper and deeper each week. From our upstairs office, I would look down, see the work going on, and appreciate that a tall building would need a deep foundation.
For those walking or driving along the road next to the construction site, though, it would appear that nothing was going on because they couldn’t see the digging.
After several months, the groundwork started. It took many weeks before the foundation could get to the ground level. With the base established, it was then time to build the walls. As the structure went up, people on the outside started seeing the building going up. From my vantage point, I understood how much work and time it had taken for the building to get to that level. However, for some people looking in from the outside, how the building had come up ‘overnight’ was surprising.
The illusion of seeming ‘overnight success’ works similarly.
To grow as a leader, you start by acknowledging that you have the potential to get better.
Whether you are new to leadership or already have proven leadership skills doesn’t matter. You can get better.
Then, determine what you don’t know and need to know.
This is about raising your awareness of your growth areas and laying the foundation for the work that will follow. You can raise your awareness by taking a leadership assessment.
After that, take steps to fill in the growth gaps identified.
Read books and articles, listen to podcasts, watch videos, and attend leadership conferences and seminars where you learn, engage in discussions, and work with mentors and coaches. As you learn the leadership principles and practices that make for success, look for opportunities to apply your learning. Keep learning, keep applying, and keep improving.
When you invest in your growth daily, those not privy to your actions may not notice the small but progressive steps you are taking. The day-to-day changes may be very subtle. However, this should not discourage you.
After a while, those around you will start noticing that you’re not the same as you used to be.
It will not be surprising for some to ask what has changed, what you’ve done. You can then tell them about the process you invested in, and you could get the opportunity to support them in their growth.
I know the above to be true because I have seen it work in my life.
Since I became intentional about developing my leadership, I have grown tremendously. I am aware of specific areas where I have improved and also receive feedback from time to time from those who are experiencing my leadership.
The exciting thing is that the journey continues because growth has no finishing line. Every day, I keep getting better.
The other place I have seen this principle at work is in the lives of those I have been privileged to coach and train. They have become better as they continue to invest in their growth. By following the process, you, too, can advance.
As John says, everyone has the potential to be a leader. However, this cannot be accomplished overnight. It requires perseverance, and you cannot ignore the Law of Process. Leadership develops daily, not in a day. Do not be fooled by the illusion of overnight success. Invest in the process, and reap the rewards of becoming a successful leader.
Post first published on the John Maxwell Team Leadership Edge Blog
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Thank you Joyce, great post, it’s so true!
Appreciate your feedback, Astrid.
great. Thank you so much Joyce