Cornerstone Leadership Solutions: 3 Cornerstones to Sustainable Change

Recently I spoke before the Chamber of Commerce. I was asked to speak on goals and the new year. After all, January is the time of resolutions. After pondering the idea of goal setting, I knew most people already know how to set goals. What people need to create any change real and sustainable comes down to a solid foundation. That foundation is constructed of three cornerstones.

Cornerstone #1: You must have a strong core. Have you taken the time to identify your core values? If you are like most people, the answer is no. Look at the leaders of the world who have achieved great accomplishments, yet fallen from their position. Look at the rise and fall of Ken Lay of Enron, Carl Pelini of Florida Atlantic, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, etc. Was it their technical ability or their behavioral ability? If you said "behavior", you are correct. That is why identifying your personal core values is paramount to long-term success. I believe people don’t identify or live by their values for many reasons. I think one might by they feel their freedom will be jeopardized. Take the time this month and identify three to seven core values that your life will not deviate from. Identify them, define them, and identify three to five behaviors associated with each one.

Cornerstone #2: Identify your “why.” In order to change we must have a strong enough dissatisfaction with our current circumstances, combined with a strong enough desire to compel change and a practical ability to change the situation. Our "why" has to be real, has to be authentic and must be compelling. Many people will decide to make change for no real reason. You'll hear "My wife won't stop nagging me." or "I just really should do it." That will not work. Words like "should" or "want" do little to motivate change. Words like "need" or "have to" drive total commitment.

Cornerstone #3: Surround yourself with the right people. Find an accountability partner, an executive coach, and a group of people committed to intentional and lifelong growth. Jim Rohn wrote on “the average of 5.” You become the composite of the 5 people you surround yourself with most. So you might need to clean house of your core group of influencers. Find people who you want to become like. Surround yourself with people who truly care about you. Surround yourself with people who hold you to a high standard. It was by getting a coach, finding an accountability partner, and changing my core reference group have I created sustainable change.

If you identify your CORE VALUES, your authentic “WHY”, and surround yourself with the RIGHT PEOPLE, sustainable life change is not only possible, but inescapable. Blessings.