The “nice personality” of pharmacy leadership, Part 2

We started with the understanding that we must improve. This puts us on the expansion pathway. Last time, we added intentionality to the mix. While it is great to know you need or want to expand, that won’t necessarily get you very far. When you become intentional about growing your leadership skills, you now have a direction. When you have a direction, you can begin to see progress. The challenge is that life often conspires against our progress. We decide we want to move in a particular direction and all sorts of challenges show up. These challenges show up at work. They show up at home. They show up in you. They show up in people around you. They show up everywhere. As a result, your progress can be impeded, if not outright stopped.

This is why consistency is so important.

When I first started to study this principle of consistency, I quickly realized that the only thing I was consistent at was being inconsistent! However, gaining awareness of my inconsistency allowed me to identify and try new ways to become more consistent. 

Here is an amazing truth of consistency: Consistency compounds! You and I have likely learned about the marvel that is compound interest. According to Albert Einstein, it is the most powerful force in the universe. If compounding can be so powerful mathematically, doesn’t it also stand to reason that compounding can be powerful to our leadership? Of course, it does!

Unfortunately, very few leaders are intentionally consistent in expanding their leadership. Never forget, everyone is a leader. We all lead and have some influence on others. That influence can lead them to a better place, or it can lead them to a worse place.  Make no mistake. Your leadership and my leadership are leading people somewhere. The only question is where. Without a plan, it is overwhelmingly likely that you are leading your people to a worse place. That is not what anyone wants! We all want to get to a better place.

Last time I estimated that only about 10% of leaders link the principles of expansion and intentionality together. Today, I would estimate that fewer than 5% of leaders link expansion, intentionality, and consistency together. Think about that for just a moment.  Fewer than one in 20 leaders are intentionally and consistently expanding their leadership skills. Humour me for a moment and consider how things could be different if you linked these three principles together. What changes would you see at home?  What changes would you see with your team? What changes would the patients you serve experience?

Learning about consistency completely changed my perspective. It showed me the way to dramatically changing the things around me. And you know what? It can completely change the things around you, too. 

As we move to wrap up today’s column, allow me to encourage you to consider the areas of your life where you are consistent. You have a number of areas where you are consistent. I am sure of it. They may not be the areas you want to be consistent in, but that is okay. You can be encouraged that you are consistent in some things. Now here is the important secret: If you can be consistent in one area, you can be consistent in another area. Make the decision today on an area in which you want to be consistent and take whatever small action you can in that direction today. You will be most glad you did!

When next we meet, I will introduce you to the fourth principle of leadership growth.  This is the principle that will take your leadership – and your business – to the next level! I promise.

Until next time

Jesse McCullough, PharmD

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn