Behaviors that Matter

Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else.

- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I've spent considerable time thinking about and studying the concepts of scarcity and abundance. I wanted to understand how abundant leaders think, but also how they behave. My efforts yielded 8 behaviors of truly abundant leaders. Collectively, these behaviors are not only the indication of a truly abundant leader, they are more often than not the sign of a genuinely happy and effective one.

I abundantly offer these behaviors to you as a means of considering not only your own mindset, but your actions as well.

1. Give others credit.

Abundant leaders care little about who gets credit. Since they believe that great ideas can come from any source, and that there is no limit on sources or ideas, they aren't compelled to steal someone else's limelight. In fact, they believe that shining the light on those who contribute makes everyone a bit brighter.

2. Ask for input.

Not seeing themselves as the only source of good ideas or fearing the scrutiny that might come from asking others for help and support, abundant leaders willingly and actively solicit the input of others. They do this, not because they want to create a fake sense of involvement or buy in, but because they believe that the active participation of many creates a better solution.

3. Extend trust.

Abundant leaders pour out trust on others. This doesn't mean that they are gullible or refuse to recognize the risks of failure, it simply means that they know that to achieve the best results today and tomorrow, they must trust others and create a trusting culture. They also know that a culture of trust starts with them.

4. Coach others.

Scarce leaders don't take the time to help others. Heck, they are too focused on their own career path to care about the journey of another. Abundant leaders not only take the time, but they consider coaching both a duty and a privilege. Helping others become the master is the ultimate reward for an abundant leader.

5. Share ideas.

Since abundant leaders don't care who gets the credit, they are willing to share their ideas. Unlike individuals who wait to spring their brilliant answer on others at just the right time or those who hold back during brainstorming exercises for fear of sounding foolish, abundant leaders are willing to put their ideas on the table and allow the team to build on, improve, or toss out as appropriate.

6. Connect people.

When someone is seeking a door to be opened or a problem to be solved, abundant leaders are willing to make connections among members of their network. It can be a tough balance between respecting the value of a connection and openly sharing that connection with others, but truly abundant leaders have mastered that challenge. They have a bias to connect and share.

7. Meet unspoken needs.

Since abundant leaders are clued into the needs of others and not just themselves, they are also more aware of the unspoken needs of those around them. They recognize when someone is struggling with a task, an emotion, or any other challenge and reach out to them with a word of encouragement and an offer to help.

8. Listen more.

The truly abundant practice effective listening. They don't just listen to pick up on the key issues as they formulate a response; they listen to understand. They ask clarifying questions. They try to understand the speaker's perspective. Pretend listening just isn't part of the abundant leader's actions.

How well are you doing? Would people call you scarce, abundant, or somewhere in between? What could you do today to be more abundant?

If you want to increase you abundance mindset, start behaving more abundantly. Often your view of things is informed as a result of your behaviors.

Other articles by Patrick Leddin:

• Are You Ready to Lead a Movement? 5 Insights from an Unusual Source
• Leadership Starts with You: Who Needs Your Encouragement?
• 5 Ways Great Leaders Communicate
• Brewing Up Success at Starbucks
• Lego Business Lessons: 5 Building Blocks to Lego's Success
• Are Your People Positioned for Success? Use this Simple Tool
• Leadership Starts With You: Take a Moment to Assess Yourself
• Should Your Reddit-ize Your Leadership Approach
• The Power of the Bourbon Brand
• McDonalds $550 Million Misstep: 3 Leadership and Business Lessons
• 4 Decisions to Give Marketing the Moves Like Jagger...
• Share a Coke and Learn 3 Valuable Leadership Lessons

Also by Patrick Leddin a fast-paced and useful team development book: Oliver's Spot - The 5 Ps Leading Team to Top Results