During my working career, I have collected thoughts about management in a little red notebook. I have kept those thoughts with me as a guideline in many different life situations. I wrote one of the most important instructions in that red notebook more than 20 years ago and it reads like this: "Lead yourself first so you can lead others."
To lead yourself, you need to have self-awareness. For me, this practically means planning your work down to the calendar and implementing that plan in a way that allows me to be flexible with your plan and prioritize the situation when necessary. As an impulsive person, I know that I sometimes react strongly with emotion. Emotions need to be and are allowed to be visible, but I can anticipate and control my own emotional reaction when necessary, especially in a situation where I need to show others direction and hope.
Nina Huhtakangas,
experienced project manager
Granite Services
