Invest in Yourself

Today as I climbed the rocky trail, I thought about my assets and true net worth. What prompted this line of thought was a dinner conversation last night with some friends. As we discussed the world’s economic situation I pointed to my car and said, “this is my only asset.” As I heard myself say that, I wondered, “Is this true?”

When I reflected about how we often define assets (rental property, investments, home, car, gold, collectibles, etc.), it occurred to me that this is just one way of looking at them — balance entries of goods that can be converted to cash.

Rather than invest in tangible assets, I chose to invest in me and the investment is already it’s paying dividends.

As a leader, you have amassed a bank account full of information. This asset base has probably been instrumental in securing your position. But are you asset rich in self-knowledge? This kind of asset defines great leaders.

Do  you know yourself well enough to identify what trips you up, what triggers your reactions, and your special sauce–what others find compelling about you? These are your most important assets and liabilities.

Why? Because you can play to your strengths and be aware of your pitfalls so you don’t trip yourself up. When you employ your self-knowledge, people will be drawn to you.  They will get a whiff of authenticity and integrity and want to follow you.  Now you have a greater ability to influence others and move an organization forward.

Think of someone who has inspired you to follow them. What was it about this person? Can you identify your own human assets and liabilities? What do others find valuable about you as a leader? What makes you stand out among the crowd? What are your liabilities that hold you back? If you were to make up a balance sheet of your human assets and liabilities, what would be on it?

When did you last put money toward building your assets--the ones that are sure to give you compound interest and can be “converted to ready money?”

We are living In times of great change, uncertainty, and mistrust of leaders.  

How are you going to mobilize and motivate people?

When the chips are down and organizations have lots of choices about who stays and who goes or who gets hired, you want to distinguish yourself. This is an invitation to do your personal accounting.

How are you investing in yourself? What has been the payoff? I'd love to hear your stories.