Food for thought for the Weekend (19-Oct-19)

Food for thought for the Weekend: My series where I present assorted collection of interesting blog posts, TED talks, podcast and articles I read/listened this week, some quotes that resonated with me, and excerpts from my own reading.

Articles:

Mastering the "Infinite" Game of Leadership

Simon Sinek has introduced the concept of Infinite Game Mindset. So what does it mean to play the infinite game as a leader? It means you leave something behind that outlasts your finite presence or contributions. An infinite leader builds a culture so strong, that when the leader is no longer there, the culture lives on. Infinite leaders commit to their just cause. The work produced by striving for that just cause has the indelible fingerprints of the leader, and lasts far beyond the time of the leader’s tenure. Here are the five must-have components of will if we are to succeed in the infinite game:

• Just cause: It’s the passion or hunger that burns inside that compels you to do what you do.
• Courageous Leadership: Playing the infinite game requires leaders to prioritize the just cause above anything else.
• Vulnerable Team: invested the time and energy to build a culture in your organization where people feel safe to be themselves. 
• Worthy Adversary: In the infinite game, adversaries are acknowledged and treated with respect, but our success or failure isn’t measured against them. Ultimately we are competing against ourselves, and our success or failure should be measured against our just cause.
• Open Playbook: Having an open playbook means leaders and organizations are willing to have flexible strategies and plans that change as needed to pursue their just cause. 

5 strategies to deal with imposter syndrome

It is now understood over 70% of us suffer from Imposter Syndrome at some point of time in our life. Ed Latimore, a professional boxer and a veteran of United States Army National Guard and now a popular blogger on self-development offers some scientifically proven ways to deal with Imposter Syndrome:

• Realize that your wires are crossed: One can un-cross the wires by learning from mistakes, doing more newer things and refusing to believe you cannot do or not-do something.

• Remember that you’re not special: Seven out of ten people feel or have felt the way you do. Some of the most accomplished people in the world have struggled with imposter syndrome. Chances are some of them are even your role models.

• Keep a journal of your daily accomplishments, both small and big: Imposter syndrome is an internal experience, not an external reality. By keeping a journal of accomplishments, eventually, you are going to start internalizing your accomplishments. The things you focus on become your reality.

• Change your expectations: do like the tech bros in Silicon Valley and focus on creating something that meets the minimum criteria of “good enough”. Once you have that, you can start improving on it.

• Seek out social support: At the end of the day, everything’s a lot easier when you’re not going it alone. When you feel like you have a lot of social support, you find more productive ways to deal with your impostorism.

Bonus:

If you liked the above article by Ed, you might like the following too:

Not caring what other people think is a super power

Why am I so unhappy?: Five possible reasons

Resource:

Adam Grant lists 20 new books on behavioral science, Leadership and Life. Excellent recommendation.

Quote to ponder:
“To a disciple who was forever complaining about others, the Master said, ‘If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.’” — Anthony de Mello