Does it seem like people are growing less mature?
they are easily offended?
That they can't handle an honest conversation?
I have a conversation with a leader recently who was lamenting these very things.
I've noticed it too.
There is a maturity crisis in the workplace today.
People want to have emotional intelligence, and e open to self-reflection. But it seems like that's only true when they are not confronted on their shortcomings.
They want it to stay positive.
They want to be told how awesome they are without facing up to things they need to improve.
The problem with this attitude is that you don't grow if you can't face up to the deadwood in your life.
And most of us are about 95% deadwood.
We need to burn it off, and that can be painful.
So how do we do this? How do we allow the deadwood to burn off so that we can replace it with something amazing?
Here are some suggestions:
Find a true mentor. This individual should be someone you can trust to be honest with you. They have your best interests at heart, and will always help you achieve your goals.
Share your goals. Share them with your mentor. Let them know what you are working on. They'll hold you accountable and let you know when you are missing the mark.
Get comfortable with constructive conflict. When you are called out on your poor behaviors, which cause you to not achieve your goals, you need to start seeing it as an opportunity for growth.
Forget emotional intelligence. I'm not saying EQ isn't important, but the more you develop as a person, the more naturally it will come. EQ is most often seen in more mature individuals, so development should be the main goal.
Get a coach. Hiring a coach doesn't mean you are weak or defective. After all, every athlete has a coach. A coach will make you better, help you achieve your goals, and offer perspectives that you may not see.
What did I miss? Would you add anything to this list?