I'm working in Washington DC this week. The organization is one of the leaders in international finance and sustainable development. Walking to work yesterday morning, I passed this guy and seriously considered my role as a researcher and facilitator in the field of personal and interactive productivity.
While working with one of the HR directors yesterday afternoon, I met with one of his staff. We briefly discussed the topic of "discipline" as it applies to the workplace. "I know I have to sit down and organize my desk," she claimed, "but I just don't have the the discipline."
I shared with her my own experience, some 13 years ago now, when someone explained the way to take the "pain out of discipline." I was about to enter graduate school, and I spoke with a mentor from one of the universities I attended.
I described the program I was entering - a one year program, where I would earn a teaching credential and a Master's Degree in Education by teaching during the day, and attending courses at night and on weekends. I explained my "worries," mostly around the discipline it would take to complete the program.
Discipline: train by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
He shared a lesson with me that I have added to seminars and my writing ever since. Here it is (again!):
He encouraged me to think of discipline from the point of view of personal engagement. What do you do, he asked, when you are disciplined? I know that one who is disciplined will "do what they know they need to do." However, to make that happen, with consistency at a high level of success, requires something. I still agree with what he said that day...
One who is disciplined, I remember him explaining, is really a disciple. But, this action does not require they be a disciple in the sense that I grew up with. A disciple, I am now convinced, is one who:
(a) is willing to admit there may be another way;
(b) is open to practicing new methods to get new results; and
(c) will follow the teachings they find that work.
I have made a point to use this methodology through graduate school, while teaching junior high, high school, college classes and presenting professional development/corportate trainings. So, instead of trying to be a leader through discipline, consider trying this one out...be a leader through being a disciple. Look for something that might work (aka: might get you the result you're looking for) and follow that to the end. If it continues to serve you, keep it. If and when it stops working, don't!
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