Don't be a "Magic Shell" Leader

There isn’t much I love in this world more than ice cream.  I currently live in a very small town in upstate New York that is surrounded by a lot of other small towns.  All of them have 3 things in common: the smallest Post Office you’ve ever seen, more farm animals than people, and a small shack that sells soft-serve ice cream that is so good you want to slap someone.   Whenever I pass one, my car somehow always pulls in and parks. Please, I’ve pushed little kids out of the way while running and yelling for the ice cream truck to stop. Friends, I am serious.  The only reason I’m not eating ice cream right now is because I’m on a plane.

 

I’ll take ice cream however I can get it.  Waffle cone? Done. Sundae? Done.  In my hand? Done.  I can’t keep it in the house because I can’t keep it out of my mouth.  Alright, I’m not that crazy but ice cream and I are quite good friends.  I treat it well and always give it the best toppings culminating with rainbow sprinkles so it looks jazzy.   One of my favorite toppings is “Magic Shell.”   You know, the chocolate syrup that you pour on your ice cream and it instantly hardens creating a heavenly helmet for your sundae.Recently, while eating ice cream, I thought about how it feels like some people are wearing “magic shells.”  They cover their true selves with a “shell” or shield because they think they have to succeed.   They think that if they show their true personality people will judge them and think less of them.  This is a survival method for the insecure.  I know because I still do it from time to time.This a detrimental approach for leaders.  The trust building in relationships that stems from authentic conversations far outweighs the importance of temporarily looking good when it comes to long-term success.  Don’t be the kind of person who jumps in front of the parade and steals all of the credit.  If we are going to effectively lead our peers then we must show them that we are human, we make mistakes just like everyone else.  We shouldn’t be afraid to let people in - as scary as that might be.  It’s OK if you don’t know everything, it’s OK if you’ve messed up, we’ve all done it and that’s what makes us human… its what helps us grow. Just remember that if you’re too busy trying to “fake it till ya make it” then you are missing out on opportunities to build real relationships, with real people, without the pressure or distraction of being inauthentic. So instead, surround yourself with people who have strengths you lack so that you can openly and honestly learn and grow together. Take a risk - take off your magic shell.-James Robilotta