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The philosophy of “know thyself” dates back to the ancient Greeks. Its application for modern times has been debated, but for me, knowing thyself is the only way to lead with intention and purpose.
As the CEO of a nationally ranked communications and marketing agency, my passion is helping leaders and organizations identify and then communicate their core beliefs and values. I’ve taken this task on in my own pursuit of self-awareness and authentic leadership. After nearly 28 years in business, I am still exploring how I can grow, where I should focus my time and who has wise counsel I should heed.
Consistently asking three questions has put me on a path of self-analysis and discovery that has made me a better person — and a better CEO. I share these questions, along with a few suggested approaches for pursuing the answers, with hopes that they’ll also enrich your journey.
1. How do you pursue self-awareness and excellence?
This answer will be different for everyone. I am an early riser, up by 4 a.m. each day for a routine that includes meditating and praying, reading the latest news and watching one TED Talk on a topic that intrigues me. The takeaway here isn’t what time you wake up, or how much you sleep, but rather the routine — the purposeful setting aside of time to read and contemplate. Often, the start of your day, whenever you start, is the best time to accomplish this.
As we know, it’s tempting to move through our days in reaction mode. We have to actively fight against the reaction trap. There will never be more free time, but effective CEOs make time to think and read voraciously because they know it leads to better outcomes for the business, for their team and for their own fulfillment. They focus on what matters and say no to the rest. How can you work more time for contemplation into your routine?
2. What inspires you to add richness to each day?
A few years ago, I decided not to make my normal New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or exercise more. Instead, I made resolutions with one goal in mind — to live more. That is, to live with more passion, purpose and joy.
After that change in perspective, my resolutions became: “Once a day, take one minute to reflect on a memory that makes me smile,” “Once a week, do a random act of kindness for a stranger” and “Once a month, have lunch with a friend I haven’t seen in a while.”
You’ll notice that these resolutions have nothing directly to do with business. My leadership is founded in seeing value in both the business and personal sides of life. We hear so much about work-life balance that it has become trite. I’ve never met anyone who can say they have achieved balance. The pursuit of this ever-elusive balance can lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure. I seek richness in all aspects of life, something I call “Living Moore.”
Every Monday, on my social channels, I share a “Live Moore” list to foster dialogue about how to live with intention and create joy at work and home. Some lists focus on business strategies; others are simply fun. These lists are the subject of my second book, Live Moore, a collection of 52 lists, each written to be read and enjoyed in just a few minutes.
These lists — and the conversations they prompted — have helped me get more out of each day. What can you do to spark rich experiences and conversations in your own life?
3. How do you find rest and peace?
Stress is a fact for CEOs. We work long hours, lead teams of diverse people and shoulder a lot of responsibility. Robust relaxation is essential.
Travel has always been a release for me, and I’ve written about the ways international travel has improved my work. Travel is the only way I can truly unplug and connect with my family. The temptation for CEOs is to feel like we can’t step away, but without rest, we are less effective and miss opportunities for personal growth and creativity. Start planning now for how you’re going to use your vacation days, and then use them. Or perhaps, something else brings you peace.
We’re constantly told to pursue passion in our careers. I am thankful for the passion I have for my work, but purpose and passion also come outside of work. The skills and fulfillment we gain by pursuing a hobby, for example, bring benefits to the workplace, which is why I’ve always encouraged employees to volunteer or pursue whatever activity or interest brings their life meaning.
My career has spanned more than three decades, and I’m doing a little more thinking about my legacy these days. In a world that can be chaotic and negative, how can I make choices that reflect my values and be intentional about the direction of my life, my family and my business?
These questions help me stay on course, and I hope they’ll help you, as well.
