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Change is hard. The options are limitless.

Yet "growth mindset" is an easy phrase to utter but a hard zone to spend a lot of time in, especially when it feels like your job is on the line.

The only thing more disheartening is putting in all the reps to transform yourself and having no one notice. 

But what if you could accelerate your growth while ensuring people didn't just notice, they came along for the ride? 

Here's how it works. 

A standard play that many executive coaches run: 

Done well, steps 2, 6, and 8 all include the same people. 

But you don't need a coach to run this. You can do it yourself. 

For some, self-reflection is easy: 

For others, they need prompts, a tool. 

Here's a free one called PrinciplesYou.

Note: This is a GPS, not an algorithm. It provides a direction, not an answer. 

Regardless of whether you generated a list of strengths and weaknesses from reflection or preferences from a test, you need to prioritize them.

Map attributes into a 2x2:

For "Resonates & Important"

For "Doesn't Resonate & Important"

For all "Unimportant," you can ignore for now. It might matter to you as a person, but if it's not critical to your growth as a professional, it's not where you need to focus. Edit ruthlessly. 

Tip: If you pick more than 1-2 things to develop, it simply won't happen. Worse, no one will notice. They're not paying nearly as much attention to you as you might think. Stay simple. Stay focused.

I'm sorry, but you're a liar. We all are.

We don't mean to, but we all have blind spots.

To guard against this, share the results:

Don't lead the witness. Encourage radical honesty.

And if you're worried about approaching them, try this: 

"I'd love your help." 

Only the coldest soul can resist helping when asked. 

Now recast your profile based on their input.

Tip: Be willing to do the same for them. You'll get what you give.

Good news: The people who care about you want to help. 

Better news: Telling them what you're doubling down on and how you want to grow helps focus their assistance. 

Best news: Accountability. You won't want to let them down.

Want to be even more strategic about their engagement? 

Build your personal Board of Trustees. 

Here's mine:

Your board can be formal or informal. What matters is being strategic about who you ask for what help. 

You don't know what works. 

If you did, you'd already be doing it. 

So treat yourself like a product: Run experiments

Keep it simple:

Answer 3 questions: 

Diagnosing the Root Cause can help.

This is the conversion process. Without it, the cycle is incomplete, and your progress will be slow.

Active & Participatory >> Passive & Individual

Active

Participatory 

Now begin again.

You will be shocked by how quickly your growth will accelerate just by being intentional. 

And with practice, you'll train the muscles needed to build robust pictures for each team member. 

Which is exactly what you'll need to lead successfully.

We want the MGMT Playbook to help you win. So help us help you.

Thank you for reading. Appreciate you!

Dave