Yesterday I finished my leadership education that has been going on for the last 18 months. So what have I learned?
I have learned the value of trusting people and not always thinking the worst of them. Not everybody is out there to hurt me. I also have a more relaxed attitude in arguments. There is no point in getting aggravated. It usually doesn’t make things go smoother. This also includes trusting other people that they are doing their their best.
I have learned that prestige is not the most important thing in life and that I don’t have to prove myself over and over again. Be satisfied with less!
I have learned that there is no meaning in having internal struggles (so called top-dog vs. under-dog), i.e. arguing with yourself. This just costs energy, and a lot of it. If I have done something wrong or acted in some way in some situation that I want to change and I cannot do that then there is no point in arguing it with myself, is there? But I have done it for many years and I know many others out there do as well.
I have learned the value of being here and now. Concentrate on the situation at hand. If you are at a meeting or playing with your daughter then your mind should be focused on that and not always be 2 days ahead thinking about something else.
I have learned to accept that all issues should be solved at the appropriate time to solve them. 4 am is usually not a good time to solve them ;-|. This relates to being here and now and usually it is good decide for yourself a time when you are going to deal with an issue. E.g. if you have to talk to somebody to solve a problem, then accept that leave it until you can talk to the person in question. Do not continue to “solve” it in your mind but come back to it later.
I have learned what coaching means and the real value of coaching.
Also during the course I have gotten to learn 17 other persons very very very well and I feel that most of them will be friends for life and especially the people in my six-group (Britta, Maggan, Lars-Erik, Magnus and Håkan). Writing this gives to goosebumps, not because it is cold or scary but that they really are my friends and that you cannot get to many of those in life!
I was in group 5 of the program and yesterday a member of group 1 told me that your personal change will continue over the coming years. With or without the help of the leaders of the course.
The people that has helped us during the process from PMI Nordic, have been incredible good. Always being in there with their minds “in focus”, always finding another thread to pull at to go deeper and also being there when it has gone deep enough to help you come back again. You are John, Sören and Barbro and of course Freddy that is no longer with us. It was a pity that he couldn’t get be with us for the whole course. Freddy, where ever you are I miss you!
Before each meeting in the course and I had thoughts like “oh no, this will take so much time and energy” but every time I come back from the meetings I feel energized and I cannot wait for the next one. Just like somebody has put you in a charger or pushed the turbo button. Well, now there won’t be any next meeting other than our six-group which is also very good that as well!
All in all it has been a tremendous course and I am going miss its meetings!It is one of the best things that has happened in my so far short life.