John Stanko

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds . . ." - Ephesians 4:22-23.

Leaders transform themselves when they develop a new attitude toward their supervisors, peers, customers, work and its responsibilities, salary, or anything else that happens to part of their work experience. To change, they must recognize they have a bad attitude or else that attitude deceives them either into thinking no one notices or causes them to do things not in their best interests or those of the organization. When they are deceived, they operate out of what's called their shadow side, which is often functioning without them being aware of it or its effects on those around them through anger, cynicism, sarcasm, aggressiveness, or bitterness.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Today you will work on being aware of your attitudes at work or home. You will do this by being aware of your thought life and what makes you angry. Are you angry when you drive? Avoiding someone or something at work? Spending undue time dwelling on a mistake or another person? Keep a written account of all things that make you angry or consume your thoughts today; then look for clues about your attitude toward those things. Once you identify the attitude, get to work to change it—and thus change yourself. (If you are brave enough, ask others if there is a shadow side of you and heed their responses.)